A friend I don’t see often invited me for a coffee date via text. My first thought when I saw her message was, “I really don’t have time. I’m just so busy.” My fingers began to type back a message declining the invitation to meet and catch up. Before I could hit “send” something tugged at me. I took just a moment and really thought about her offer and how I was too busy to meet.

In that moment, I took notice that most of the time it felt difficult to take a deep breath with all of my rushing around before moving on to the next item on my “to-do” list. But in the midst of all my busy-ness, I was actually feeling alone. Rushing around doesn’t afford you much of an opportunity to be still and connect with other people. Here was a friend reaching out to me and I was turning her down.
With my finger still poised over the “send” button, I started to delete my response and write a new one. “Yes, I’d love to…” became my new message. Quickly I hit send before I could change my mind.
I went on that coffee date. While I can’t remember exactly what we talked about or how long we nursed our lattes while her preschooler colored at the table, I do remember feeling uplifted and supported during our talk. Spending time sitting with a friend helped me gain a little positive perspective on my tasks I was missing that morning.
Before we left the coffee shop, my friend asked me something she asks me every time we are together. She said,
How can I pray for you today?
I get emotional even now thinking about her question. It was such a gift to not only be asked, but then to know she and her family would include my special intentions in their prayers. As I shared what I was weighing on my heart, I knew it was God who had sent her text to me requesting this coffee date. He knew that I not only needed to look up from my “to-do” list to recognize Him working in my life, but that I also needed a break from the loneliness I’ve been feeling lately. It was God meeting me over Coffee through His messenger.
We parted after I asked her how I could remember her in my prayers, feeling blessed with the responsibility of holding her special intention close to my heart. Leaving the coffee shop, I sat in my car for a few moments and prayed to God in gratitude. Even though I was wrapped up in my own issues and busy-ness, He sent me a friend to remind me I am not alone and that He loves me.