The JOY Challenge: Day 38 - Coffee, anyone?

I'm deliberately finding joy for forty days. To start from day one click here.

This week Ann Voskamp asks, "What spiritual practice has most deeply affected your relationship with Jesus?"

The answer for me comes in an instant.

I suppose I should picture steeples, pews, something made up of religion or ritual.

But instead I think of this...

Coffee.

Now before you wonder if I've lost my mind (or my faith) let me explain a bit.

It's not really about the coffee.

It's about the person sitting across from me.

And, even more, about the Person who quietly slips in and joins us.

For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them. Matthew 18:20

I've been thinking lately that perhaps our western world has things a bit backwards.

We tend to think we find God more when we withdraw from everyone else.

And we do sometimes.

As in a marriage, there are moments when you shut the door and share an intimacy that belongs to no one else.

But most of life, most of the relationship, is in-between those times. And if we limit our intimacy with God to just this, it seems incomplete.

Even Jesus seems to have spent more spiritual time engaging with people than alone with God.

What if connection with God comes through connection with others?

I've realized it does for me, more than any other way.

I'm an introvert...an off-the-charts introvert, in fact.

But still, still, God meets me most often through the heart and hands of another.

When I am in community (whether with one or many) my faith grows.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6

Sometimes this happens through a literal cup of coffee and a real-life friend across the table. Other times it comes in an e-mail, a comment from one of you, a phone call that stretches to family across the miles.

I'm not sure the how matters as much as the what...the coming together in His name.

He joins us.

We join Him.

And suddenly that coffee is a taste of heaven on earth.

In your presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11

 

Do other people ever help you feel closer to God? If so, who and how?  

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Comments

[Dianne]

Holley, I think you have really hit upon something here. Great post and I look forward to growing with the Walk With Him community for years to come.

Thank you for commenting on my blog a week or so ago. I am wondering if you got married at the beautiful Thorncrown Chapel??

All the best,
Dianne

[Chrissy]

Maybe it's because I'm still such a "baby Christian" in a lot of ways, but I often feel closer to God when I'm surrounded by people who are what I call "seasoned believers". There's so much to be learned from those who have spent a lifetime walking with God, and it's helpful for me to see how they live their lives, what they believe, and how they communicate God's love and faithfulness to others.

[Cassandra Frear]

I adore this post. I do.

You KNOW that my friends at the Moonboat are going to hear about it. This is too good to keep to myself.

You are such a blessing.

[~Grace & Peace]

Two ways:
The seen - being with my women's group on Thursday nights. Amazing group of women. I also serve during the Sunday night service. I have gotten to know the people that come in. God has blessed me with incredible brothers and sisters. My heart soars when I talk to them.

The unseen - my morning visits to various blogs (this included) where I also have a connection with (yet) unknown sisters. It never fails that I glean nuggets of wisdom in every stop. What a blessing!

[dawn]

I heart this post, Holley. I think I have felt guilty in the past for feeling like I don't withdraw enough. For me, it is an important discipline, cause I'm an off the charts extrovert. BUT, God does really speak to me through the hearts of others.

1) friends over coffee/diet coke
2) my mom has been a wonderful spiritual mentor in my life
3) my sisters--we are totally comfortable letting it all hang out in front of each other and so we get to the heart of things.
4) women's bible study
5) blogofriends...get much challenge and inspiration online as well!

Thanks for reminding me that these are legitimate ways to pursue God--not just the quiet moments.

[Maureen]

I just love this! Living in such a relational cultural really helps me relate to all you've said. We love our coffee/talk time, just sitting at the cafe bonding. Its a wonderful thing!

[Reese]

My Goodness...My thoughts exactly!! Your Word choice, transition, and emphases (plural)rock my face off!! Thanks Holley.

[Lisa notes...]

Beautifully expressed. God reaches us in many ways, alone and with others. You're wise that you're thankful for all of them.

[Fiona]

I agree - fellowship with other 'sisters in the Lord' brings a deepness and a joy like no other. We all need to be accountable, to be challenged and to have FUN!!

[Jennifer Saake (a.k.a. InfertilityMom)]

Holley, for reasons too deep for words, I needed every word of this tonight. If you wrote for me alone, God would have done a full work through you in these simple reflections, speaking to a very deep and hurting place in my heart right now. Maybe someday I will share more details with you, but know that right now I am thanking God for His faithfulness and for your willingness to allow Him to use you. {{{hug}}}

[Linda]

Holley - I hadn't thought of it in those terms, but you are absolutely right. I am part of a small Bible Study group that has been together for years now. There is something so special about those once a week times together. We all say, when we are in those times between studies, how much we miss the coming together. How we seem to be so much more diligent about spending time in the word when we have each other to be accountable to.
I love this. From one introvert to another - you are a blessing to me.

[Nancy]

When I go to Ladies class like today I am lifted up by the comments my christian sisters make and I see Jesus in there actions

[Sue]

Do other people help me feel closer to God? Yes... in all of my children, specifically my son Danny.
He is the closest thing to being next to God. He is 15 and he is my son from my soul. He has autism and mental retardation. My son has a sense of innocence like no other. He cannot speak but yet he says much about everyone. He can measure the goodness of one's soul by how they react to him. He endures daily negativity from stares, criticisms, rudeisms, and basic cruelty by our society. I walk proud next to him. I am supposed to teach him, but he is my best teacher by far. He can help one feel the goodness of another person and vice versa. My son is the yardstick that measures the intangible in people. He is my "gift" from God. No one understands him like God. God put him here for a reason and I believe that is to help others become pure as he is... to share his joys and triumphs and to see past things... to see through things... to keep looking for the good... to never stop... never ever give up... live your life for God... I do.. I know when he goes to sleep every night... we made it through another day.... we are one step closer to God...
I'm unsure if I was able to put into words what I was trying to convey... but I tried my best....

[Shaunie Friday]

I love this Holley--so practical, so true, and so important for us who are introverts to make ways to connect with people. I am a people-person despite my introverted temperament but sometimes I guard my solitude to much. Thank you for reminding me of the holy ground a cup of coffee can be--would love to meet you there someday! :)

[CONNIE]

Hi Holly Our Father's at our Church through there homlies make me feel even more closer to GOD. I truly feel and strongly beelive that I already have an intense relationship with GOD IT IS TREMENDOUS GOD is always there all of the time listening to my PRAYERS AND ANSWERING MY PRAYERS when I hear our Father's talk about GOD it truly gives to me a whole new prespestive of HOW TRULY AMAZING,AWESOME,AND TREMENDOUS GOD IS AND HOW GOD GIVES TO ALL OF US MANY MANY AND COUNTLESS UNDESERVING BLESSINGS GOD IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ALL OF US AND GOD LOVES ALL OF US UNCONDTIONALLY AND GOD NEVER NEVER NEVER ASKS OF US ANYTHING IN RETURN FOR HIS UNCONDTIONALY LOVE AND COMFORT,PEACE,GRACE,AND UNDERSTANDING.Holly GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES AND EVERYONE AT DAYSPRING.COM

[deb @ talk at the table]

this is the incredible truth.
finding the balance between quiet alone stillness, and connecting with the Body.
Rushing these few days, but would like to share where I wrote about this in an older post.
thx.
blessings to you , and to your amazing way of reaching
http://forsakenforlent.blogspot.com/2009/04/when-quiet-needs-song.html

[Cindy]

Praise God for you, Holley!

As I read today's thoughts, I thought of a womens' group of which I am a part. Our prayer team meets one morning a week. These times are so powerful and meaningful. We do what we call soaking - sitting before our Lord and listening for His voice. Wow! We really hear Him and often receive words that compliment each other. Lately, we have ended up doing mini Bible studies, as we have Life Application Bibles. God gives us scriptures and we look at them and the notes, and share our thoughts with one another!

He is so very good to meet us each and every time. This brings renewal and refreshing. Glory!

[A Simple Country Girl]

Yes, yes, yes. Others do help me feel closer to God. Although there are likely too many to count and too many ways to recall, other people are what it is all about.

From my first pastor and his wife (because of Who they introduced me to & what they taught me)

to the women of the first Bible study I ever attended (because of how they taught me to share and to pray)

to the everyday people like the beggar on the street corner (because he seems to need Someone bigger than himself)

to the kindness of strangers in this new town that is so foreign to me (because they reflect His love)

to the little girl kicked in the head by a horse this summer (because I prayed diligently for her and got so many responses back from others doing the same)

to the people in cyberspace like Ann at A Holy Experience to Deb at Forsaken for Lent (I keep meeting them in places like this) and you (miss Holley) and you (wonderful sisters in Christ who so graciously share His faithfulness) and you (who peek from the bushes and only sometimes leave a comment, much like me)...

So, yes, I too meet Him through others. All the time!

Blessings.

[Melissa]

Love this post. I'm leaving tomorrow morning with my best friend for a road trip overnight. It's our time to just drive, shop, chat, and refresh. My friend LOVES coffee but I don't, yet we'll sit for hours together just as you do with a cup of coffee/hot chocolate just chatting about our lives and blessings/praises from the Lord.

Thank you for sharing this.

[Holley]

Thanks you for all of your wonderful comments, girls! I feel like I've had a virtual cup of coffee with you just reading through them again! You are such a blessing to me and I'm so glad this place gives us a way to connect with each other and the One who made our hearts.

[Monica Sharman]

I sure thrive on this kind of connection.

[Maria Jones-Davidson]

Dear Holley, Glad to be back! I was away for ten days on holiday with my husband in another state of Australia called Queensland. Mike and I live in the state of Victoria. We thought to go away for a week or so and just came back yesterday. So good to know I have friends online like yourself. I have not forgotten you dear Holley. I was just away and very busy doing holiday activities. I want you to know you are a very special person and you have been such an encouragement and I love to have a coffee with you one day. Thank you for your beautiful blog, It's always a great blessing reading it and you are always fabulous & special... God bless you!

[Julie]

An introvert off the charts, yes, I can identify with you. I prefer being alone, especially after bouts of extroverted activity that life dictates. I so appreciate your thoughts here, because they make me realize, too, that much of my growth has occurred due to community, and how God has used the hearts and hands of others to bring me along more deeply into His care, an awareness of it, and into obedience.