B E H I N D / T H E / B A R

Here’s another great story, Sarah shared with me a few weeks ago while volunteering at Cadence, I love how our little coffee shop has been the setting for those “right place at the right time” moments.  

On Wednesday, a lady came in to buy a cup of coffee and find a safe place to cry.    I did not notice her need until one of our customers extended a expression of kindness.  The young woman had been sitting at the front of the store and this young man was on the opposite side and must have seen her crying.   As he was leaving to go back to work he walked over to the service counter and picked up a couple of napkins to give her as he left.  No words were necessary – just compassion.  She took the napkins and began crying harder and at that moment I wandered up to give her a hug and assure her that she was not alone.  She said:  you just never know when a heartache will turn into tears.

I told her that tears were good and again assured her that she was not alone – but then I believe the kindness of a stranger had already spoken that loving assurance with a napkin to dry her eyes!!

In a world where its often easier to walk past someone in crisis, its so refreshing to know that there are people out there that still care enough to stop, offer a kind word or even just a tissue to dry a tear. 

I challenge you to muster up the courage to be that kind of person.  It would be easy to say, “That’s not my circus, not my monkeys,” and run away from someone else’s “drama,” but its okay to step in the middle of their mess and offer a hand of comfort and care. 

Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. – Proverbs 16:24

I’d love for you to send me a story, or a challenging thought that I can share here, each week.  The only two guidelines are that it has to be under 500 words, and it has to be an encouraging or thought provoking message.  Send it to shannon@riverchurch.me.