When I met Tim, he loved coffee; I did not. Years later, when I went to work for a ministry, most of my face-to-face meetings were held at Starbucks. Much to my husband’s delight, I started drinking coffee. Now, I start my day with a cup of joe, and then later in the afternoon, I reheat whatever is leftover in the coffeepot and enjoy my second round.

One of the upsides of Tim’s lay-off is that now we get to enjoy our afternoon cup together. Speaking of my husband, one of my most favorite things in this life, is having good long talks with Tim. He has a deep well and asks me the most thought-provoking questions. He can see the big picture when I get lost in the details. Also, he’s made me laugh from day one. 

In yesterday’s blog post, I wrote, “The greatest travesty, second to death, would be arriving at the other side of this pandemic unchanged. Today, God brought that truth home.

As Tim and I shared our afternoon cup of coffee, we discussed what we want our lives to look like on the other side of COVID-19. We talked about a passage of Scripture I was mulling over from earlier in the day.  

I had been reading Matthew 25:31-46 about the final judgment. Anticipation began mounting in my chest as I read about the glorious day when the Son of Man will come in his glory. I savored each word as I imagined what it would be like to see King Jesus face-to-face.

And then, just like that, I was deeply convicted when I read verses 34-40:

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father to inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothed you? And did when we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'” Matthew 25:34-40

For many reasons, some entirely legitimate, I have fallen into a mode of self-preservation. I think it’s easy to do when you’re in a tunnel of grief. 

 As Tim and I discussed what living out Jesus’ words might look like; Tim wisely said, “It begins with prayer.” 

Tonight, I am asking the Lord to give me eyes that see the least of these, and a tender heart to act accordingly.

Until tomorrow,

Missy

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