Coffee Shop Prayers: Finding God in the Drive-Thru Line

Let me tell you something: this mama loves coffee. Not just like it. Not just enjoy it. I LOVE coffee.

And you know what's even better than coffee? Coffee drive-throughs where I don't have to unbuckle two car seats, wrangle two little boys through a parking lot, and then wrangle them back into said car seats while my coffee gets cold. Girl, the drive-through was invented for moms like us.

Jefferson City's Newest Blessing: Dutch Bros

We just got a Dutch Bros here in Jefferson City, and can I just say—it's a game changer. Don't get me wrong, 7brew and i have had an expensive love affair. But they started making their drinks too sweet. I love sweet AND strong coffee. Dutch Bros gets it right. The perfect balance. The perfect sweetness.

And before you judge my coffee spending, let me introduce you to a little concept called "girl math." If I make coffee at home four days a week, then treating myself to Dutch Bros on Friday is basically free. See? Free coffee. You're welcome for the financial wisdom.

Coffee: My Daily Kickstart

Here's the thing about coffee for me—it's not just caffeine (though let's be honest, with Leonardo and Raphael, I need all the help I can get). Coffee is my ritual. My transition. My moment of "okay, Stephanie, time to do this thing."

Whether I'm pulling through Dutch Bros on the way to MOPS or making a cup at home before my Bible time, that first sip is like a reset button. It's the moment when I shift from survival mode to actually being present. From "get the kids dressed, where are the shoes, why is there yogurt on the ceiling" to "okay, God, I'm here. Let's do this day together."

The Drive-Thru as Sacred Space

I know it sounds silly, but some of my best prayers happen in the drive-through line. While I'm waiting for my Caramelizer (if you know, you know), I'm talking to God. Not the pretty prayers I'd say in church. The real ones.

There's something about being in the car, kids strapped in, music playing softly, waiting in line—it's like God carved out this little pocket of space just for us to chat. No distractions. No phone. Just me, my steering wheel, and the God who sees this tired mama and loves her anyway. (Even when dealing with health challenges and finding peace in chaos.)

Bible Time & Coffee: The Perfect Pairing

On the mornings when I make coffee at home—usually my trusty French press because it makes me feel fancy even in my Target pajamas—it's the prelude to my Bible time. I've learned that if I don't spend time with God before the chaos hits, I'm not the mom I want to be. Caleb's work in ministry and business keeps us connected to Jefferson City's amazing faith community, which reminds me daily of the importance of staying grounded in faith.

Coffee warms my hands. Scripture warms my heart. It's that simple and that profound.

Some days it's just one verse and three sips before someone needs me. Other days I get twenty minutes of peace, my Bible app open, my coffee still hot, and the house still quiet. Those mornings? Those are the ones that carry me through the hard afternoons.

The Theology of Small Rewards

I used to feel guilty about spending money on coffee. Like I should be more responsible, more frugal, more... something. But you know what? God invented coffee beans. He created taste buds. He gave us the ability to enjoy good things. And I think He smiles when we receive those gifts with gratitude.

My Dutch Bros runs aren't frivolous. They're tiny acts of self-care that help me be a better mom, a better wife, a better version of myself. And in a season of life where I'm touched out, talked out, and running on fumes more often than I'd like to admit—that $6 iced coffee is worth every penny.

Finding God in the Everyday

Here's what I've learned: God doesn't just show up in the quiet, perfect moments. He shows up in the drive-through line with two kids in the backseat arguing about who saw the fire truck first. He shows up in the early morning darkness when I'm desperately making coffee before anyone else wakes up. He shows up in the mundane, the messy, the ordinary.

Maybe your thing isn't coffee. Maybe it's tea, or a morning walk, or those five minutes in the shower before everyone needs something. Whatever it is, I hope you give yourself permission to have it. To enjoy it. To let it be the rhythm that helps you breathe. (If you're looking for more real, relatable encouragement, check out my intro post about juggling motherhood and endless to-do lists.)

And if you're in Jefferson City and you see a tired-looking mama in the Dutch Bros drive-through at 7:30 AM with two little boys in the back, that's probably me. Wave if you want. Or better yet—say a quick prayer for me. I promise I'll be doing the same for you.

Because we're all just doing our best, one coffee at a time.