I have been known to frequent a coffee shop or two in my days. It started many years ago (almost 30 years ago). I would ask some of the church folks where the locals hang out and drink coffee. I would then go and sit and visit, mostly listening until I become familiar with them.
A person can learn a lot at the local coffee shop. Good stuff like, what the history of the town is and who has been part of it. What is the history of the people living in the town as well as the history of those around the table telling you about the troves of information. And, yes, sometimes (alright, many times) there is a little gossip.
The folks around the table are usually all men. They are all mostly retired. They come from various careers. Depending on where I was at the time, the crowd could be ranchers (who by the way never retire), power line workers, surveyors, managers from various walks of life, mechanics and even a preacher or two. With this variation of backgrounds and professions it always made good conversation and a lot of wisdom a younger guy could learn from. I was always the youngest in the bunch, so I just tried to be a sponge and absorb. However, sometimes I would have to squeeze out of some that was absorbed, as it would not pertain to me personally or the ministry in general. Most of our conversation was lighthearted, fun and geared toward nothing in general. Politics almost always came up and made for heated conversation occasionally. Home improvement projects, car repair, lawn care and always (and I mean always) hunting or fishing were topics for discussion. Kids and grandkids were usually brought up and what they were up to or a visit they made to home. This is where I learned the phrase “it’s great to see the headlights as they come up the driveway, but also good to see the tail lights as they leave.”
Practical jokes were always being played on fellow table members, in the coffee shop and out. Loosen salt shaker lids or sugar jar lids were always a favorite of the guys. Filling a coffee cup to the absolute top and trying to figure out how to drink it without spilling was usually done to the new one to the group. You wouldn’t dare leave a vehicle running outside because you would have to look for it when you got ready to leave. Road kill put in the back of a truck was also done a time or two. In the summer, leave your vehicle unlocked and it would be full of squash or cucumbers.
Religion, God and church would generally come up and it always provided a chance for me to share the Gospel. Believe it or not, I’ve even had the opportunity to lead a couple of folks to the Lord over a cup of coffee.
Funny things have happened over the years. I have now become one of the “old timers” who tell the stories, add not only humor but sometimes wisdom that life has taught me over the years. I have gone from onlooker to example. My life’s pace has slowed down to where I can sit and enjoy the atmosphere and not have to run because the clock says so.
Just this summer, a guy came in to get his to go mug filled with coffee and joined in the conversation for a short while then had to leave. On his way out, he said he looks forward to the day when he can be one of the “spit and whittle club” sitting around the table watching the younger ones come in, get their coffee and biscuit and then hurry off to work while he could sit, smile, sip some coffee and listen to the conversation (not a bad goal in my summation).
I have enjoyed my coffee shop time, even to the point I have called it a ministry. I have met many people over the years. Many of them have become good friends of which I still keep in touch. I know that if I ever get into a bind or have a problem I needed help with, they would come to my aid quickly.
I ponder on all this as I just finished the book of Job. He found himself in the worst of circumstance having lost everything. His health had failed. Three friends come to his side to help and encourage. In the end he call them worthless friends. This made me wonder what kind of friend I would be should my friend fall on hard times? Or what kind of friends I would have around me…encouraging or accusing?
Look around and see if you need to step up your game and become a better friend or surround yourself with better friends. Try to be the friend you want to have.
Sippin’ Coffee with the Guys, Bro. Tim
