Coffee shop ponderings

Coffee shop ponderings — startled

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

Have you ever gotten yourself so focused on something that you didn’t hear someone approaching you…and when you finally noticed them or heard them you nearly jumped out of your shoes?  Well…that kind of happened to me today…not literally though.

I was in the sanctuary this morning working on my sermon as I do every Thursday morning before I leave for Coffee Choices.  When I returned to my office my secretary said, “Pastor, did you forget something?”  I immediately started searching my brain trying to figure out what she was talking about.  I got everything in for the bulletin and did all my usual Thursday stuff.  And then she said, “M called wondering where you are this morning“.  Then it hit me…it’s September…and it’s my month to lead Bible study at the apartment high rise and the assisted living facility.  And here’s the sad thing…I wrote about the fact (on this blog on Tuesday) that September is here and wondered where the summer went…and September still snuck up on me and “startled” me.  I called M and apologized and she understood.  I just hope my little old ladies forgive me.

September really is here.  I just hope I don’t forget anything else.

-edh-

Coffee shop ponderings — hospitality

/ The Pastor / 6 Comments

Many of you know that I spend a lot of time at my favorite coffee place, Coffee Choices.  Part of the reason is because I really like coffee, especially the variety of flavors that Coffee Choices offers (Black Raspberry and Blueberry Cinnamon Swirl are my favorites).  Another part of the reason I spend so much time there is the hospitality that they practice.  When I set up camp at my favorite table by the front window on Thursdays to eat lunch and write my sermon, I never have to get up.  They always make sure my cup is full and that I have everything I need (they treat all the customers that way…not just me).  The hospitality keeps me coming back.

In the Romans text for Sunday, Paul urges the church in Rome to “practice hospitality”.  And this is more than making friends and family feel welcome in your home.  But practicing hospitality is making people feel welcome, valued, special, etc when ever and where ever you are.  If, upon my first visit to Coffee Choices, they were not hospitable, I probably would not have returned again, but because they make me feel like a valued customer I have no problem giving them my business.  And because I have developed relationships with many people down there through hospitality, I have had many fruitful and inspiring conversations.

Imagine the impact we could have on people if we showed that same hospitality to all people at all times and in all places.  What if we made people feel like they are to most valued and special person in the world.  People would stop and take notice and want to be around you.  And the more people are around you, the more opportunities you have to show the sincere love of Christ to them.  But don’t let your hospitality be for selfish reasons, as Paul says in Romans 12:9 “Love must be sincere“.  And when love is sincere, people will notice.

The people down at Coffee Choices are not putting on an act to get people to come back again, their hospitality is sincere, and THAT brings me back again and again.  Let YOUR love be sincere for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

-edh-