I dropped the baby off at my parent’s house and I prayed all the way to the coffee shop. “Lord, give me the words you want me to say. Help me to be a messenger of You for Your glory. Amen.” I arrive, place my order, and find a seat waiting for my bagel to be ready. Five minutes goes by. Then seven, then eight. I walk to the front and no one notices me. I feel my stomach growling and my impatience grows. Ten minutes. Ok, I’ve toasted a bagel before. I know it doesn't take this long. I tap my toes and I see the employee pull a forgotten, burnt bagel out of the toaster. She fakes an apology and I fake an understanding grin. She takes her sweet time and places a new one in, toasts it, and places it on a plate. “Sorry for your wait,” she lies, and I impatiently accept her half-hearted apology and grab my food with a hint of sass.
I sit down, take a bite, and start writing about Jesus.
And then it comes.
Jesus speaks.
Well, actually, it’s more of a sigh.
C’mon Kate.
Remember those colorful bracelets we collected as kids? You know, those ones with WWJD stitched across the front? How that little saying became so normalized we forgot the power in the question? Truth. What WOULD Jesus do?
Jesus’ time of ministry was short and filled to the brim. He had a mission to fulfill.
Time and time again you see Him interrupted by multitudes of the hungry and sick... untouchables... Interruptions that He viewed as opportunities to teach and to heal. Never put out, always willing. Opportunities and not inconveniences. In Matthew 20 we see Him coming from a time of teaching, masses of needy people waiting for Him before He can even rest. What would Jesus do?
“And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. -Matthew 20:29-34
People are never an inconvenience to God. No matter how often we call to Him, He is ready and willing to hear and teach. He is always Grace.
My life is a book. My actions write stronger words than my fingers will ever type. The way I treat others in all circumstances speaks louder than any captions on any social media platform. I want to model my life after the ultimate example of compassion. I want to stop seeing interruptions and hold-ups as inconveniences. Instead I long to view them as opportunities... opportunities to show Jesus... to be grace.
What are you writing today with the story of your life?
Do others see God in you?
Don’t lose sight of what's important.
Look people in the eye, smile, CARE.
That's what Jesus would do.
Wasted bagels and wasted opportunities will happen, but there are fresh mercies waiting.
Keep your eyes open.
Kate Foster,
ARH Staff Writer