The Coffee Shop <3

I love coffee. I drink it every morning and most afternoons, and though I’ve tried to cut down on my caffeine intake, I still love coffee. Coffee shops are absolutely one of my favorite places to hangout. Something about walking into a local coffee shop, seeing people I know and recognizing the baristas just feels comforting. Some of my local favorites (for those of you in the Grand Rapids area) are Wildroast in Grandville, Roots in Grand Rapids, and 317 in Hudsonville. These are just a few sweet spaces where there’s a high chance I’ll see people I know as I walk in the door.

It’s totally a cultural thing, but one of the easiest ways to connect with people is to grab a coffee. Getting coffee is the perfect first step into a relationship, and it’s the perfect space to catch up with good friends.

As much as I love coffee and the vibes in a coffee shop, I actually enjoy what happens in this space way more. When I ask to get coffee with my friends and women in my community, it actually means I want to spend time sitting down, really paying attention to them. It means that I want to hear their story, listen to what God is doing in their lives, and be a sister to them. The latte, the vibey music and cool atmosphere just makes it extra fun.

Of course, coffee shops aren’t the only places where we can really connect with people, but we know that it is a special opportunity. Recently, I’ve had more conversations, diving deep into the lives of others and being honest about my life over simple cups of coffee than anywhere else. I know it’s not the magic of coffee or the actual location itself, but rather, the intentionality behind it.

Jesus shows us what it looks like to pay attention to people. He connected with others to care for them, teach them, bless them and love them well. Mary and Martha are two women who Jesus spent time with. In Luke 10:38-42, Martha welcomes Jesus into her home, and Mary and Martha get to be present with Jesus. Mary sits at His feet, listening and soaking in His Words, and Jesus is intentionally paying attention to her. What a gift, to sit at the feet of Jesus.

When we pay attention to people, listening and speaking life and truth, we see beautiful things happen. Your words have purpose, and you can use them to bless, to build up and to encourage another. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Your words are powerful when your ears are open and your attention is on the person sitting right in front of you.

It won’t always be a coffee shop. Intentional conversations can really happen anywhere when we are willing to pay attention to the people right in front of us. But I encourage you—reach out to someone who may need your attention. God may be putting a name on your heart, and I encourage you to listen. Take them to coffee, or whatever else you may do, and see it as an opportunity to care for them, bless them, and love them well. <3

If you live in the GR/west Michigan area, I hope I run into you soon at one of our home’s bests. 😊