Coffee Shop lessons. #1

It was a beautiful spring day that I learned this lesson.  I went into my favorite local coffee shop and ordered a four dollar, exactly,  latte.  The four dollar beverages are a rare splurge.  Usually I only enjoy them when they are on-the-house, which isnt often enough..

Anyway, I had beenwalking around downtown, photographing some of the towns icons; the coffee shop being one of them, because it resides in what used to be the train depot.  It's as cool of a place as it sounds.

I was glad to use my current commissioned project as an excuse to get out, explore down town, and have a latte.  My project is a drawing of the city and the things its known for. 

As I began viewing the images I had captured, I quickly wanted to recapture them onto my paper and begin sorting my thoughts.

Unfortunately, I realized I had left my roll of pens and pencils at home due to my eagerness to get out and explore. 

Determined to fully fulfill my purpose for coming out, and not wanting to waste time on just drinking my frothy beverage, I got up and asked one of the baristas to borrow a pencil.  Now I know for most this is a very simple, no-big-deal act, and it was for me on this occasion, but if you know me much you know I'm a thinker.  I tend to overthink things, which many times leads to not taking action. 

When I confirmed that I really had left all drawing utensils my mind began to race.  "What artist carries a backpack but doesnt have a pencil?", I thought, and even though I saw pencils right there I wondered, "What if for some reason they say no?".  Two foolish questions; the answer to the first being: who cares, and the second being:  then they say no and I'm where I started.  After the few seconds it took to process all that, I was granted my wish to loan a pencil. Work began and went on like normal.

I know that's a very small and goofy situation, but if you're anything like me then you know the awkwardness we can create for ourselves at times.  I can come up with a multitude of excuses why not to talk to someone, when in less time I could have talked to them.  Maybe the outward appearance of a person intimidates and deters.

To be transparent,  talking to an attractive girl causes nervousness in me sometimes.

I wish I knew the reason for why we are the way we are socially.  A small amount of study on the subject of psychology has given me bits of understanding; but no psychologist can ever fully understand the mind and all of its functions.

It's my desire to share the gospel of Christ with anyone and everyone.  But I've come to realize on my own I'll fail at doing that with anyone and almost everyone.  Do I use my weaknesses as an excuse?  Yes!  Often, due to my humanity.

But I've learned that in my weakness He is made strong (1 Cor 1:27).  The ability to go outside my comfort zone and engage people one-on-one, speak in small groups, and big church groups, is evidence enough for me to know that there is a God, but also it's evidence that he wants to use me.  As He desires to do with everyone in a unique way.

So whether it comfortable, it's in a coffee shop, a grocery store, or a church building I'm gonna let God use me and I'm gonna speak.

I'm an introvert, so it takes work.  Never did I think I would be able to speak in front of a crowds, but I've been able to speak in my church and multiple foreign countries in time past.  I know the courage and inspiration to do so came from God.  Like I said above, God uses us in our weakness.

Be encouraged and know that it doesn't take a super outgoing personality to do things for God.  It just takes a willing heart, faith, and trust that no matter how crazy the task seems God can use you to do it!