Coffee With Jesus…
January 14, 2012Today was a test of everything I believe and hear taught at my church and in the end I get the blessing of humility. I got to the office early as usual and parked the car, while talking to my sister in Maryland. I glanced across the street. The front door of my office building held a man, laying on cardboard, wrapped in a blanket, surrounded by what looked like trash.
Carefully, I approached the doorway and verified that he was breathing. Relieved, I gave out a wimpy “good morning” then “hellooo” and nothing. I thought about going to the Golden Crown Panderia (bakery) to get a goodie and coffee for him… but then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I don’t get treats like that for myself. What I can do is treat him with respect and not buy him off. All this thinking occured as I circled the property mustering my inner self.
I strolled directly up to the door and said “Good Morning” firmly. He stirred just a tiny bit. “You Want Some Coffee?!?!” I nearly shouted. He bounced up. “Good morning friend, give me 10 minutes and the coffee will be ready… wanna cup?” He smiled. I let him know where the restrooms were to clean up and got him a cold bottled water.
As the coffee brewed in my office, I though about how close we all are to this predicament. My new friend came down to my office. I told him the coffee would be a few more minutes and gave him a travel cup and creamer. His English was really broken up so it took some effort – but Ramon is from Cuba and moved to the United States in 1995. We talked about where he stays and how he’s been filling out applications for work.
I offered him some Pop Tarts (my office staple) and the coffee finished up. As I was booting up computers in the office, Ramon handed me HIS cup full of coffee and said “For you”. Am I really having coffee with Jesus?
Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
