Coffee Conversation

Come have a cup of coffee with me, friend. Let’s set the scene: The kids have been dropped off at school, and we both head to my favorite coffee shop on the north side of town. We sit near the windows despite the cold temperatures outside, because the sun heating the coffee shop through the windows is too tempting to resist. The warmth of its rays rest on our faces, we take a minute to close our eyes basking in the heat, and our conversation begins.

I’ve always loved winter. Unfortunately, the older I get the more I miss the sun’s heat on my skin. I miss being able to run out the door without having to wear a coat, not being able to enjoy ice cold treats while sitting on the front step with my kids, and oddly enough, running the kids to and from baseball practice. Then I’m reminded how I don’t miss the sweat dripping down my back or the packing and unpacking of the car every weekend for baseball tournaments. Ha! Yes, yes.. you’re right. Thank you for that reminder, friend.

There’s all kinds of opportunities in life to miss or not miss things. Middle School. Piano lessons. Trying to make friends in a world I clearly didn’t belong in. I definitely do not miss these things. There’s one thing, however, that I distinctly remember - and desperately miss. 

During my high school years I spent hours lying on my bed, tucked away behind closed doors, pouring over the Scriptures. This dedicated time spilled over into college, and I remember to this day the impact it had on me. Those seasons allowed me to devote time with the Lord, time I didn’t have to “carve” out. But in this current season? I wrestle with my schedule, feeling like I have to put Jesus on my calendar, as if he needs to be scheduled in, like our coffee date today. I’m running kids around, working a job, and because I’m getting older I don’t have the energy I used to have. Maybe it’s the same for you? I fall asleep early, I’m groggy in the mornings, and I often wish for an afternoon siesta, because I am going-going-going all day long. I miss the simplicity of life I had in my teen years; I miss that time with the Lord. While I have it now, it looks different, not really resembling rest in him like it did all those years ago. 

I don’t know about you, friend, but when I’m this busy my mind gets jumbled. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I literally can’t hear when people are talking to me, but it also seems I hear them without really listening. Simple tasks all of a sudden become overwhelming, and I end up shifting into some sort of automated gear. In this mode, it’s hard to position myself to hear from God. Why would I discern what the Lord is telling me, or asking me to do, if I’m too busy for the most basic of things? What if I’ve missed him speaking to me? …because I’m not listening? ….because I’ve allowed busyness to be my god? Uffda. I feel the weight of this; do you?

American culture breeds the go-go-go mentality. But is that what God is calling us to? What if God is calling us to less? I desperately want to be led by the Holy Spirit throughout the day. Whether it’s when the FedEx guy drops packages off at my office, when I talk to the barista here at the coffee shop, or when I’m taking a walk in the evening with my family and see a neighbor working in their yard. It’s my heart's desire to see the opportunities around me so I can share the Good News.

Recently, I was reminded of how broken the world is around me. Choosing to slow down, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see what he saw. It was great, I wish you had been there. I was at a restaurant with friends and had the opportunity to chat with an employee there. We had discovered some commonalities with him, one thing led to another, and soon tears welled up in his eyes as he shared the hurts happening in his family. We had the opportunity to pray with him and to share a snippet of Jesus’ goodness and forgiveness. It was incredible. For the rest of the evening my heart settled into this place of urgency. I asked myself the hard, reflecting, question: If we hadn’t discovered the similarity, would we have taken the time to talk to him? Or would the night have moved on, with no Holy Spirit led interaction? Would I have been too busy to see the hurt in this person, and too busy to share hope? 

Friend, let’s slow down. Let’s commune with God, and see the world around us. Let’s dedicate time to sit at Jesus’ feet, to feel the urgency, knowing there is work to be done. Let’s feel the weight and know as followers of Jesus we have a role in it all. Let’s not just enjoy the sun’s heat on our skin, let’s enjoy seeing lives transformed by the power of the Gospel through our obedience.