Kindness.

I have a favorite table at one of the local coffee shops in town. It’s tucked away in the front corner of the store next to a huge window. You overlook the door and hide behind the merchandise shelf. The usual flow of customers rarely notices the table unless they are searching for a place to sit. During the past two weeks, I spent my time writing, reading, and listening to the Lord from this little corner. Friends dropped by for conversations, and my dad occasionally stopped to say hello. It was my favorite table for a long time before this, but now there was space for growth. I get up early to sit there, a little workspace tucked away from the chaos, where the Lord meets me and gives me chances to walk alongside Him.

Since I started coming here, the Lord has been so evident in His generosity. The opportunities He has presented are genuinely incredible. People come here to work, to have Bible Studies, to get their morning coffee, and some are here so they won’t be alone. The strangers that come through the door every day have their own lives and trials, but it has been such an encouraging thing to watch them. People come in to talk to the baristas daily, who are genuine and kind. And seeing people reunite has an air of energy unlike any other. I’ve realized that it takes a certain amount of intentionality to befriend somebody in customer service. If they remember your name, you know you made some impact. Whether it’s positive or negative is up to you.

It has been a blessing to meet people and wind up deep in the topic of the Lord’s love and grace. He often shows up in special conversations with strangers, mostly with people who notice me writing support letters that ask what I’m doing. From fantastic conversations about evangelism and what that looks like in friendship, to building trust with a few people and practicing how to love the person in front of me. In the past two weeks: I’ve had strangers tell me they want to donate to the trip, connected with an old friend’s grandfather, and memorized all of the baristas’ names. I am asking the Lord to present more opportunities for conversations and testimony of His grace. Sometimes, operating in His love means praying over the woman who walks outside, even though I don’t know her name. I hope those conversations have benefited the person on the other side. Listening intentionally is not an easy task.

Seeing how many doors have opened by listening to what God tells me and working toward life on His timeline is beautiful. I tell Him every morning that it’ll be okay if my table isn’t open at 6:30. He responds that there is kingdom work to do no matter where I sit. It’s a small reminder that no matter where you are or what you are doing, there is an opportunity to be a light. Sometimes, all it takes is a smile at a stranger; other times may take an extra tip to your regular barista. The Lord is moving, and His grace is exquisite. Being a kingdom worker currently has a rejuvenated sense of fun, and it is joyful work in this world.

While writing this, I was reminded of a verse in my devotional this week. Here is just a bit of encouragement :
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7).