Are you sometimes prone to think that if you are going to have coffee or dine with a friend that it must be at Starbucks, or a fancy restaurant? Let me introduce you to a new location. It won’t necessarily be fancy and the atmosphere may even leave a few things to be desired. I can assure you that you won’t need to leave a tip, either coin or folded in style. The dining area is “open seating” and the ambience is dependent upon your attitude. The sky is the limit regarding the menu selection. Can you guess where I might be describing?
First, let me introduce you to someone. I was sitting in a church one Sunday and as I glanced around and behind me, a delightful looking woman was sitting behind me. After my hello in her direction, a warm smile appeared from her countenance. Then, another sweet surprise, she was from South Africa. Her accent was captivating. Our friendship began right there. After the service we continued with our introductions, and I found her to be warm and loving.
Over the years, our families would get together for dinners. Sometimes at our dining room table, or kitchen table. Regardless of where we met, we just had fun. I remember sharing with her that I was the type of friend who could enjoy a plain cheese sandwich just sitting on the curb with a friend. I hoped she would catch on that I didn’t feel I was a “high maintenance” type of friend.
This lady would cry with me, laugh at my jokes (and I can assure you I’m not good at jokes), but what an encourager she was to my heart and walk with the Lord.
She was going through a rough patch in her life, and I so wanted to be an encourager to her. Our friendship was simple….it was just being together that mattered. I’m convinced that’s the best type of friendships to have.
Neither she nor I was “flushed in funds” for fine-dining at the time, so we’d often just share something at either of our kitchen tables. It was all about just being together, never mind what was being deposited in our mouths.
One day, as I recall, I felt she was a bit discouraged. My mind went into gear as to how to bring a genuine chuckle and encouragement to my friend. Ah, the Lord gave me an idea.
I remember putting some sandwiches together and cutting them into tiny pieces and placing them on a small plate. I just kept grabbing things I had in the fridge….from fruit to a piece of chocolate. The last item I grabbed was a blanket.
Knowing how we both enjoyed “tea,” I invited my tea pot and some nice china cups to come along with me. We were taking “lunch & tea” to my friend’s place.
Did you notice I didn’t say “her home?” This little “meals on wheels” excursion never made it inside her home. I knocked on her door and invited her “out to lunch.” I was quick to advise her that we wouldn’t be going far. No, not far at all. For I had laid out the blanket and items on the blanket just yards from her front door.
The dimension of my friend’s eyes grew when she saw the layout. We must have sat there for almost two hours. We never wondered what the neighbors thought because we were together just enjoying the presence of green grass, and the trees. Even the birds were on assignment to sing a chorus of song for our entertainment.
We both still look back at the time we just paused from our routine and simply, very simply, met together. I wanted her to know she was special to me and worth making a lunch for, adorning it on a blanket and enjoying her company.
Yes, our lives can get busy. Sometimes too busy. It’s so easy to be “activity addicted.” The pause that day still lingers in both our hearts, and continues to bring a smile when we remember the simple delights of life.
And no, it wasn’t a cheese sandwich. But it could have been, and we couldn’t have cared less.
If you share your home address with me, I might pop over with a few things from my refrigerator….just for “us” to enjoy.
Cups of Cold Water 