I am fortunate. Every morning I can indulge myself with a fresh coffee. Usually, I make it myself. Fresh beans from select locations are ground. Water is heated to a specific temperature. The process begins and ends with an enjoyable attention to detail that gives me confidence the result will be a wonderfully satisfying experience.
Recently I found a flimsy, crooked to the point I wondered if it would collapse, coffee stand in front of a store. It was just secure enough to give the impression it never moved. Inside the thrashed exterior, was a shiny machine that reflected attention and care. I am not so sure about the ingredients, but anything is possible.
What struck me at the time was the reality that not everyone is able to begin her/his day the way I begin mine. It is more than just a great coffee, especially since I know a lot of tea drinkers. It is about those who are not sure where the next meal will come from. It is about those who struggle to read. It is about those who have no idea how they can earn any money to pay the bills that support those they love. The haves and have-nots are very real. In any place, on any given day, there is an individual living without something s/he needs. As someone who has been gifted, I feel fortunate; “At the same time, you need to know that I carry with me at all times a huge sorrow.” (Romans 9.1) We can and should do something, at least for the individuals who share our path for a step or more.
Doing something, as small as it might be, contributes to addressing the problem. A gift of clean water to a courier is important. Sharing what one has with another is part of caring. In acting when opportunities appear, we take a step toward a better future with the community.
Never stop sharing, never give up. When the situation appears overwhelming, take action, and step forward. Doing something creates an opportunity to do more.
