A Cup of Hot Chocolate and a Waffle: Planting the Seeds of Possibility

Life definitely has it’s twists and turns. Sometimes our lives end up in a way we’d never imagine. As I’m typing these words, I am watching a young family being torn apart in front of our coffee shop. A mom and dad are being arrested, as their four year old little girl looks on in tears.

I don’t know the offense the mom has committed—the police are tearing the truck apart. But I know this little girl will never be the same. Our guts wrenching inside of us, we  gave the little girl a hot chocolate and a waffle. My hope is this little gesture of kindness will shine some light on her situation. I hope she sees love really does reign in a world full of darkness.

My cousin Mark made a comment about this situation that I hope becomes a reality for that young family.

He said, “The hot chocolate and waffle may have planted a seed off possibility. The possibility that during dark and uncertain times kindness and hope are still possible. I hope that troubled family finds their way to better times.”

One of my heroes in the faith recently passed away. Eugene Peterson’s words and life have a tremendous impact on my life and ministry. His value for human life and his understanding of loving people in any and all circumstances, whether inside the church or outside the church shapes how I interact with people at our coffee shop.

This quote by him became more real to me today than ever before:

“A Christian congregation is a company of praying men and women who gather, usually on Sundays, for worship, who then go into the world as salt and light.” ― Eugene H. Peterson

I talked with one of the police officers after they had also handcuffed the dad and led him away to be put into the patrol car. He told me he wishes this situation was the exception, but it’s not. The officer said drugs is the culprit in this arrest, and his hope is that down the road he won’t be arresting the daughter for drug offenses.

He and I both hope that a cup of hot chocolate and a waffle can plant the seeds of possibility in the little girl’s heart.