I love an invitation to sit down for a coffee. I know the invitation is never about whatever liquid we might drink or snack we could consume. The invitations are opportunities to sit down and have candid conversations. As I reflect over a morning coffee about my recent coffee invites, I find myself smiling as the lessons help shape and guide the day ahead of me.
Coffee invitations are windows to a different type of time. In this space, the pace of words can slow down, sometimes almost to a crawl. In the balance, mutual listening with the intent of understanding finds its place. It is a time for candour, compassion, and caring, especially in the ways we create space and safety for the other.
As recent meetings remind me, the conversations tend towards candid honesty. Challenges can be made in the pursuit of truth. Identifying and calling out anything that is less than honest is expected, especially when it is empathetically wrapped.
What follows is a dialogue which, for me, gifts me with hope, courage, and renewed energy. I love the bluntness I experienced. At times, it is an echo of an old story, “some people are actually trying to put such words in our mouths, claiming that we go around saying, “The more evil we do, the more good God does, so let’s just do it!” That’s pure slander, as I’m sure you’ll agree. We’re All in the Same Sinking Boat” (Romans 3.8)
In each case, we got past our bad rhetoric. We found our shared story reflecting the values and priorities closest to our hearts. We rediscovered possibilities in working together. The conversations were like consuming a stimulant that endures, encourages, and is a source of energy long after the words have faded into silence.
As I enjoy my coffee this morning, the lessons others created with me linger. Today is yet to be written yet I already know what I want to bring to it. Yesterday’s insights are today’s guides, lessons can be applied. I know today will be a good day.
