As normal, I arrived early at the Starbucks location for our Tuesday night small group table
discussion. We have a book we read and discuss together with a few guys. I started going over
the chapter and noticed a young lady in a wheelchair come inside the coffee shop. She was
hesitant not sure where to locate. The designated handicap table was taken by a gentleman
reading the newspaper. He seemed unaware this person needed a space for her chair.
I was sitting at the large table for group discussion and decided to move into action, offering
some assistance. I pointed to the space at the empty end of the table and began clearing away
the clutter of chairs, offering to park the wheelchair at the end. She acknowledged my gesture
and pulled into the table. I followed up by retrieving her beverage at the counter when her
name was called. This tiny effort on my part for a person with a physical limitation instantly
opened up an engaging conversation between two total strangers in the coffee shop.
I introduced myself and she gave me her name. After several cordial, “Thank you for helping,”
exchanges, my new friend stated her injuries came from a serious accident while racing
MotoCross bikes. By this tine our regular guys had arrived at the table for our book discussion
and each guy introduced himself to our guest table mate. She offered to move, as the smaller
table had now opened up; we insisted she was welcome to sit at our table. She chose to stay
with the guys.
It turned out to be a great evening. We seemed to find greater motivation in our discussion
together, speaking clearly how Jesus was real and for everybody, everywhere. Our text was
John 3 and the story of Nicodemus who unexpectedly began to follow Jesus. You might want
to read this chapter in the Bible yourself to refresh what happened. Jesus stuns people all the
time with His love.
Our Tuesday evening guest at the coffee shop was working on her laptop silently with
headphones as the guys shared thoughts and insights. At the end of the hour long session she
removed the headphones and thanked everyone for letting her sit with us and “listen in” on our
table talk. She was still working on assignments but informed us she had listened to our
comments at the same time. She seemed to value our public sharing of perspective regarding
Jesus’ mission and ministry to all people. It was pretty helpful I think to all of us. Good things
happen in small group discussion. Try one for yourself.
This weekend we wrap up the current summer end of summer series, "MY Story." We explore
the story of Abraham and Sarah in the Bible. They chose to GO when STAYING would have
been easier. The decisions we make today will write the stories we tell tomorrow. Sometimes
you have to GO across the room to make a new friend at a coffee shop. Other times you may
have to GO across the world. IN either case, when you GO where God leads, you’ll find a great story worth sharing.
See you in one of our Journey services this weekend. LET’S GO.
