One cup at a time – Sterling Journal-Advocate
Coffee drinking is best enjoyed in company, conversation and socializing combined with the ritual of sharing to create moments where our lives intersect with those of others in a predominantly positive way. According to coffee research.org, 54% of the US population drinks coffee regularly (over 3 cups
per day), while another 25% drink it occasionally. Overall, the daily per capita consumption of coffee in the US is 1.9 cups for men and 1.4 cups for women.
I like my coffee pretty simple: black but not too strong, piping hot (whatever “piping” means) but definitely not lukewarm, which is only a moment or two away from “lukewarm” in my eyes. I rarely put anything in it except to keep my hands busy when I’m in a public cafe. My daughter especially likes to put milk in my coffee to watch the tiny white storm clouds rising from the bottom of the cup.
As kids, the daily coffee-drinking gatherings at the local soda bar seemed like a welcome target for our jokes and jibes. We christened it the SOYBAG (Sit On Your Backside And Gossip) club. A successor group was dubbed “The Supreme Court.” Years later, I feel much more sympathetic when I think back on that gathering, knowing that we all want a community where we can be who we are and where we share a sense of safety and belonging.
Coffee is an opportunity, an opportunity to open doors for conversation, to share the hospitality of others. In the 12th chapter of Romans, Paul asks us to “to spur ourselves on and keep ourselves on fire”, including by “being inventive in hospitality” (Rom 12:11-13, The Message)The author of 1 Timothy describes hospitality as a leadership quality (3:2) and Titus calls us to welcome everyone (1:8). In 1 Peter we are encouraged to be quick to “Give the hungry a meal, the homeless a bed,” and with joy. “Be generous with the various things God gives you, and share them so that all may share: if it is words, let it be God’s words; if it is help, let it be God’s heartfelt help. In this way God’s radiant presence will be evident… (1 Peter 4:8-10).
Churches can focus too much on their particular form of evangelization and believe that it is The Away. Sometimes it can really embarrass people when they are not “saved.” It suggests an end, not a beginning, and a final faith rather than a questioning of it. Instead of policing who is and isn’t saved by our standards, maybe we should be asking, “Who was I hospitable to today?” Evangelism is about sharing one cup at a time, whether it’s water, coffee, tea, or fellowship. It’s about relating to others every day. It’s about being good neighbors and reliable friends. It’s being gracious enough to let someone else bring your coffee today, knowing you might be called tomorrow.
Share your cup of faith whenever you want, but do so knowing that God’s work in the lives of others is on God’s timing, not ours. Relax, wrap your hands around the cup, secure in the presence of God’s fellowship.
Ken Frantz is an ordained, non-salaried minister serving the Haxtun Church of the Brethren. He lives with his family near Fleming. Comments are always welcome at [email protected].
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