Simple is Good

I like my coffee strong, hot and black. I know, I know… light and sweet is the way of today’s culture. Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and dozens of others, offer alternatives from hot Frappuccino Carmel Grande’s to Toasted Almond Iced Mocha Latte’s. Each is topped with real whipped cream of course.

Now I’ll admit that I indulge in an occasional iced latte on a summer’s eve, but no matter the season or the time of day, I still prefer sipping a cup of hot black coffee. It seems to me that people in general have become overly indulgent. I remember as teen asking my immigrant, factory working, dad for some frivolous item and getting his standard reply. “God gives us everything we need. If we don’t have it, we must not need it.” The older I get the more I see reason in his words.

We seem to have raised a generation whose mantra is “I want.” My young coworkers want big homes, luxury cars, and of course, lots of bling. One girl, who’s been living with her boyfriend for more than two years, made a comment that she wants to get engaged but her partner doesn’t make enough money to get the size diamond she has in mind.

My youngest son recently got engaged to a beautiful girl and he bought her modest diamond to solidify his commitment. She, a very practical and thoughtful young woman, was honored to wear the symbolic ring. As she and I sat sipping our coffee after lunch one afternoon, I caught her looking down at her hand more than a dozen times. With each glance, her eyes softened and a smile played upon her lips. I could not help but wonder if my coworker would have the same reaction when she got her two-carat diamond.

Unfortunately we are all affected by materialism. While I was sipping an evening cup of coffee, my son pulled out a photo of the elegant china that the engaged couple just registered for. I offered the appropriate oh’s and ah’s then suggested they chose a nice crystal pattern as well. From over my son’s shoulder I saw my husband. His scowl made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

“What’s the matter with you?” I asked.

“All of that is just stuff,” he replied. “There are so many things that they need. I’d rather they get those things first. Leave the crystal for an anniversary later on.”

Now it was my turn to frown. I imagined the young lovers sitting in their new apartment, romantically starring into each other’s eyes across a beautiful candle lit table. Why shouldn’t these two have the best china and crystal to make the evening complete? Then my writer’s imagination drew a close-up of the table. On it sat a pizza box, two paper plates and two plastic cups. The same hands crossed the table and tenderly held each other, the same eyes locked in loving embrace. No crystal, no china. Just the two of them – surrounded by the love God placed in their hearts for each other. My husband was right. It isn’t about the “stuff.”

I took a sip of my strong black coffee and savored its taste. Sometimes simple is best.

A simple life in the fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. Proverbs 16:15

©2006 Louise Bergmann DuMont. All rights reserved.