Tag: #dirtycup

I have this coffee mug that I use at work. I use it every day, multiple times. It was a gift. Well, actually, I received a flower arrangement in it when I was recovering from having a unilateral mastectomy. It is a big smiley face cup, and I mean it’s quite large. I love it because it holds a large quantity of coffee. I love coffee! In fact, I am not very pleasant to be around until I have had a couple of cups.

Now I have to admit, I am not great at cleaning that cup out on a regular basis. A lot of times I even forget to rinse it out before I leave for the day. When I come back to the office the next morning, coffee crust and a crud ring have developed in my cup. I then proceed to the sink to try and clean it, never getting the coffee ring and crud completely removed. Yes, I suppose that is kind of gross because I then reuse that same mug with some coffee remains from the day before.

You see, the sink in which I attempt to wash my cup is a bathroom sink that only provides some hand soap. I found that hand soap is ineffective in combatting coffee crud. I have gone so far as to put hand soap and hot water in my mug and let it sit overnight. Unfortunately, there were no earth-shattering results the next day. Much to my dismay, the ring, or rings because by this time more than one had formed, remained.

I decided to try my luck with an “all-purpose” cleaner. Before I left work one evening, I sprayed my mug with some cleaner and, again, let it sit overnight. I was sure this heavy-duty dirt and grime fighting cleaner would do the job. It did not. On top of that, it took quite a while to get the residue from the cleaner out of my cup, while still leaving the coffee residue fully intact.

Well, my mug had gotten to a place of total and utter disgust, to the point that I didn’t want to use it. That’s a problem because let’s face it, I am not easy to be around un-caffeinated. This week, I broke down and finally purchased some dish soap to keep in my office. I washed my cup with it this morning.

Guess what? The coffee ring, gone! The coffee crud, gone! The coffee residue, gone! My mug looked pristine. It was like a brand new mug! It is amazing what the right cleaner can do!

You know, confession is a lot like that. I have never been a big fan of confession, but I have begun to embrace it as a vital part of my faith. Now I don’t want to say that I look forward to going because I don’t. At least now I don’t dread it anymore. It is actually quite a gift and it is liberating to know that you are forgiven and still deeply loved by God despite your shortcomings and transgressions. Confession is the right cleaner for restoring your relationship with God and often times with others. It’s a clean slate, a soul sanitizer, a fresh start, a new beginning… a clean coffee mug. It is amazing what the right cleaner can do.

Today, find the cleaner that is right for you. It may be some quiet time to reflect on your life, your decisions, and your interactions. It may be some time spent in the chapel with the Lord. It may be a “vent” session with a trusted friend, or it may be confession with a priest. Whatever it is, find the right cleaner. I think it just might change your perception a little bit and might even make your coffee taste better. And today, please pray for me and I will continue to pray for you.