Jesus Met Me in Chipotle

Okay okay okay.. it's been a hot minute since I've written. Life got busy and I kinda forgot about this little piece of the interwebs. But alas, here I am.. thrilled to be back + excited to share all that's happened and is happening in our little corner of the world!
  
Let me preface this by saying, I am by no means trying to pat myself on the back nor brag.. I'm just as human as the next gal & am only sharing this because Jesus impressed it on my heart.. I've come to realize ya gotta listen to the Big Guy when He prompts.. 

  I got back in town last night, not wanting to cook after a long day (lets be real.. I never want to cook and especially after I've been gone all day but that's beside the point), of course my taste buds led me to Chipotle. The building was packed full .. mainly college students.. making me feel older than old.  I waited to order for a bit, line growing behind me.. after what seems like forever I'm next to pay. I feel this gentle nudge from Him.. "I want you to pay for someone's meal" .. okay Jesus, I'll do that. 

I look behind me to find a young, sweet girl..another college student ;) She's the one! Butterflies formed in my tummy as I paid for my food and then let the register girl know what I'd like to do. I turned to the sweet girl and share that today is my daddy's birthday, he's one of the most generous + hard-working people I've ever met, and I'd like to pay for her dinner to honor him. Of course she's touched by this kindness, tells me no one has ever done this for her before, & that it made her day. I pay for her food, we exchange names + she shares what she's studying in college, and then I'm on my way. 

As I'm driving home my soul is overwhelmed, so much so that it's pouring out in the form of happy tears and giant smiles. I'm feeling thankful for so many things .. for a dad (and mom) who shows me what it's like to live with a giving heart; for a prompting from King Jesus to show kindness and love in a tangible way; for the financial ability to respond in obedience to that nudge. 

And in that moment, tears in my eyes and gratitude in my heart, Jesus reminds me why I'm here. And why Tyler is here. And why my dad and mom are here. And why the church is here. And why YOU'RE here. 

It's for them. 

For the girl behind you (me) in line at Chipotle or Starbucks. For the friend who needs someone to listen after she's/he's had an awful break-up. For the family member who needs shown forgiveness and grace for the millionth time. For the person who feels lonely, left out, broken, & hopeless. And for all the ones who need to see that there's still good in this world.

We're here for them. 

King Jesus continues to remind me that the world doesn't need coffee houses in church buildings, smoke machines & light shows, or long fancy-worded prayers. They need Him. They need to see and feel Him in a real, tangible way. And the only way they're going to is if we rise to the challenge, follow through with that Great Commission in Matthew 28, and work at spreading kindness and love in simple, tangible ways. 

So here's to 2020, sweet friends. May it be a year that we strive to shine so brightly, that the world might see a Jesus who loves them deeply and longs for a relationship with their heart. And may we never forget that He put us here for them.