It all Started with Coffee
A little over 4 years ago now, when the world shut down, restaurants closed their doors and I, as a therapist, left the office and transitioned to zoom sessions at home, I realized immediately that a new rhythm needed to form in my life so my mind and body would not become disoriented with the change and become stagnant and weary. I knew I needed structure in my day and a routine I could count on each morning. So, I created one.
Each day I got up, had my time with the Lord, got dressed and ready for the day and off I went to Bentonville Square to Onyx coffee shop where they had a door with a window you could walk up to and order coffee. That’s when it all began.
My relationship with my first barista….Ashley. “Hi, my name is Susan, what’s yours?” “Well, Hi, I’m Ashley” “Nice to meet you Ashley, I’m going to be seeing you a lot Ashley…this is going to be my new morning routine so we’re going to be friends I hope” “Me too Miss Susan” with the biggest smile you ever saw. “Now for my order, I would like an almond milk latte please.” And so, it began…every morning Ashley and I connected through the protective plastic covering on the front door of Onyx.
It was such a delight to see her, and I began to learn a little about Ashley as we exchanged, under the plexiglass, money and coffee. There would be other baristas in her place from time to time that I started building relationships with as well. Ashley had already talked to them about me, and I absolutely adored ALL of them. Then one morning something marvelous happened. The door opened! It was the best day ever to walk through the door and actually see all the baristas…. we were so excited to see each other in person and not just half a person through the protective covering…
Now, as a sidenote I must tell you that last week we had “Honey Camp” at Honey and Doc’s with our two oldest grandchildren Adeline and Whit. Our scripture for the week was Mark 12:30-31 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this; Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
I love God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind and with all my strength but one morning as I was spending time with the Lord, I very specifically asked Him ways that I needed to be loving my neighbor as myself and to open up doors and help me not to miss it when He showed me. Almost immediately after that prayer, which rarely happens, I was in line at Onyx and I literally felt God prompting me…”it’s here…where you are….love on these.” I get goose bumps even now sharing the overwhelming love I felt for Every. Single. Barista. in Onyx and I didn’t know what God was up to, but I knew He was up to something and all I had to do was “love.” It’s just like in John 13:34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
It's been so much fun loving, sharing a meal at my home, mentoring, and taking opportunities to help when needed. The relationships I am forming run deep and will last far beyond our morning coffee exchange. Yet the biggest blessing of all is how much I am blessed by all of them…. every single day! God brought every barista to me as much as He sent me to them… (I want to name them all but in fear I will miss one I won’t). I’ve been called “the mother of Onyx.” J A title I cherish…
Where is God sending you? As you go, day by day, how are you loving your neighbor as yourself? For me, it all started with coffee.