This morning, as I rushed through the doors of the café, I could already feel the weight of the day pressing down on me. I was running late for an important church meeting—one that required my full focus and, if I’m being honest, the energy boost from a strong cup of coffee. The café was buzzing with people, and the line to the counter was longer than I had hoped. My anxiety began to rise as I glanced at the clock, realizing that every minute spent here would mean more pressure to get to the meeting on time.
Finally, it was my turn to order, and I stepped up to the counter. I quickly asked for my usual: a simple black coffee, something I thought would be fast and easy. But instead of immediately heading to the brewing station, the young barista seemed distracted, taking a few extra seconds to confirm my order. My impatience was growing by the second.
“Can you make it quick, please?” I said, not hiding the frustration in my voice. The words came out sharper than I intended, but at that moment, I didn’t care. I needed to get going, and I didn’t have time for delays.
The barista gave me a quick nod and went to prepare the drink. As I waited, every second felt like an eternity. I could see her carefully pouring the coffee, wiping down the cup, and placing it gently on the counter. In my hurry, I muttered under my breath, “This shouldn’t take this long.”
The barista must have overheard because she looked up at me, her eyes slightly downcast, and quietly said, “I’m sorry for the delay, sir. I’m doing my best.”
In that moment, conviction hit me like a wave. I could hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit reminding me of the very virtues I strive to live by and preach about—gentleness, kindness, and patience. How many times had I stood in the pulpit, encouraging others to reflect the love of Christ in every situation? How often had I reminded my congregation that we’re called to be patient, even in moments of inconvenience? Yet here I was, failing to extend the same grace to this young woman who was simply doing her job.
I felt ashamed. The delay wasn’t her fault; the café was busy, and she was doing her best to serve everyone with a smile. But I had let my own sense of urgency and self-importance blind me to the fact that she, too, was a person deserving of respect and kindness.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward and softly said, “I’m sorry for being impatient. Thank you for your hard work. I hope you have a blessed day.”
Her face lit up, and she responded with a genuine smile, “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
As I walked out of the café, coffee in hand, I realized how easy it is to forget the call to be gentle and kind when we’re caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Whether we’re pastors or parishioners, we’re all human, prone to moments of impatience and frustration. But it’s in those very moments that we are tested. Will we reflect the grace and love of Christ, or will we let our frustrations speak louder than our faith?
Reflecting God’s Love Through Gentleness
This experience reminded me of Philippians 4:5, where Paul encourages the believers: “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” It’s a simple yet powerful command. Our gentleness should be evident—not just when we’re in the church, not just when things are going well, but in every moment, especially when we’re under pressure.
As followers of Christ, our behavior in everyday situations is a reflection of His love and grace. When we’re kind and gentle, even in frustrating moments, we become a living testimony to those around us. On the flip side, when we allow impatience, frustration, and rudeness to take over, we risk damaging our witness.
Learning to Pause and Reflect
What I learned today is the importance of pausing before reacting. It’s not always easy—especially when we feel rushed, stressed, or overwhelmed—but it’s essential. Before responding to that slow barista, the busy cashier, or the customer service representative who seems to be taking forever, we should take a moment to breathe and ask ourselves, “Am I reflecting Christ in this situation?”
We all have weak moments, times when we fall short of the virtues we aspire to live by. But God, in His infinite grace, gives us the opportunity to learn from these moments and grow. Being gentle with others requires a spirit of humility, a recognition that none of us are perfect, and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, regardless of the circumstances.
The Call to Gentleness
If I can leave you with one takeaway from my story, it’s this: don’t let life’s small frustrations cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture. We’re all on this journey of faith together, and every interaction we have with others is an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and grace. Let your gentleness be evident to all.
Just as the Lord is patient and kind with us, so should we be with others. And remember, it’s often in the small, everyday moments—like waiting for a cup of coffee—where our faith is most clearly on display.