Estimated reading time: 5 minute(s)

This morning I had to head out for a few quick errands, which turned out to be at least three opportunities to connect with people I know around town. None are “good friends”, but I do have a connecting point with all of them.

I was heading up to the post office to grab a few checks that I expected had arrived from a couple different clients. I was by default going to drive, but then I remembered I like to walk when I’m just headed to the post office, and the bank. But I thought, “Today I need to drive… just because it’s faster.” So, I headed out the driving door and got in my van to drive off.

First stop was the PO. As I was walking in, a Bookseller friend was heading out. I wasn’t sure she was going to see me, but I watched her, waiting for a chance to say hello. She seemed in a hurry, so I was going to let her notice me. She did catch a glimpse of me, and so I waved a hello to her. That seemed to break up her rush a bit, so I went over to say hello. We chatted about the things she’s dealing with right now (she’s closing down her bookstore) and a few other things. She asked how we’re doing, and I couldn’t help but bring up money, as once again that is the pressing issue in the front of my mind. She offered a few encouraging (and sympathetic) thoughts, and we parted ways with a smile. I was glad we had a chance to connect, even if only for a few brief moments.

I went in to check the box, and unfortunately, no checks. I would have been more disappointed, but I was still glad to have had the chance to have a chat with our Bookseller friend.

Heading out the door, I noticed she was just leaving, and as she did, she slowed and motioned through her window, “No checks?” I shook my head, and she again motioned in empathy, “Sorry… that’s too bad…” I smiled, and we went about the business of the day.

But I wasn’t done yet. I did have one check to deposit from the day before. So, off to the bank I went.

But as I was ready to pull out of the driveway I remembered a conversation I had previously had in my head (presumably with God) about a little coffee house in town…

I have visited there only maybe two times – three at most. Often I will think of it, when she is closed. This morning I had thought of dropping in for a chai, but dismissed it as my little addiction – for which we needn’t spend any money, that we don’t currently have. But as soon as I dismissed it, another thought entered my mind. Often, when I think of something out of my normal or planned line of thinking, it is a prompting from God that is not necessarily about the “thing” I am thinking about. I chuckled, and conceded that perhaps God had something more than a cup of chai for me this morning.

So, sitting at the end of the post office driveway with a smile, I decided I would stop by and see what that cup of chai might bring.

I pulled up to the parking lot, and noticed balloons blowing in the breeze at the door of the coffee house. As I got closer, the sign said, “Come celebrate our 1st Anniversary!” So I walked in and said, “Happy anniversary!” The owner thanked me, but seemed… preoccupied. We exchanged a bit of small talk about her menu and such. I placed my order for chai. “I don’t have any large cups,” she said, obviously frustrated, “I could give you two small cups and you could do a double-fisted drinking thing?” I smiled, and said that one small cup would be just fine.

I believe I asked her how her first year was, but I don’t remember exactly what I asked. Whatever it was, it was the right thing to ask. She began pouring out emotions of the day, perhaps recent weeks or months… perhaps even the whole first year. Overall, she is tired… and not seeing the fruit of her labor. So I, being an outsider, was able to see some good things, and remind her of those. And reluctantly she admitted them.

One of her most recent frustrations was that whole large cups thing. She just hadn’t had the time to get them, and it seemed that EVERYONE needed them. So I said with a smile, “Well, I’m glad to have a small cup of chai.” 🙂 She smiled, and thanked me, and I left as another customer was coming in. Hopefully I was an encouragement to her this morning, and the rest of the day might be a bit lighter.

I guess I did go for a bit more than a chai. 🙂

Well, now it was off to the bank, with my one tiny check. At least I did have something to deposit, even if it was small. I filled out the deposit slip, and got in line, and went right up to this morning’s teller. She was friendly, as always. I have spoken with her many times before. She’s a fellow believer, and on the worship team at her church, so we have had several conversations about our music ministry – which is what the check was written to. That prompted her to ask how that was going… so I explained our current “hibernation”, and how God is leading that. So then she asked about CDs, if we had any. I explained that we had 5 currently, and she said she would very much like to get one. So, I left saying I would bring one by next time.

As I headed to the van I remembered… they’re in our VAN. 🙂 So, I grabbed one of each, and headed back in to see which one she would like. Generally, I just give them to people. I’m a really bad businessman. I admit it. 🙂 But today, I didn’t think that was the right thing to do. So I debated loaning them to her, then she could buy the one(s) that she liked? Seemed too much pressure. I could just show them all to her, then give her one? Nah… I’d figure it out when the time came.

The time came. She was free, so I went up and showed her all the CDs, explaining what each one contained. One of them was our demo CD that I had planned to just give to her. Then she said, “Well, I’ll definitely take the free one, and I’d like to buy this one.” She asked how much, and I told her. She handed over a ten dollar bill and I was on my way.

I got back in my van just smiling at the morning’s errands. I hadn’t gotten the money from my clients that I went out for, but I had the chance to connect (more than a “hello”) with three people, sharing a bit of what God is doing for me and for them. (Even if they don’t credit him.) And I even came home with more cash, though I had bought a cup of chai that I “shouldn’t have”.

I’d say all that was worth my cup of chai.