“Coffee’s On.”

I grew up drinking coffee.  A little in my milk in grade school ~~ can you believe it ~~ a kindergartner drinking coffee?!  Half milk and half coffee in middle school; by high school it was black, no sugar.

It was how we lived, how we communicated.  Everything was discussed over a cup of coffee.  Visitors were in and out of our house all day long.  The door was always open and there was always a pot brewing on the stove.  My mom had a Gift: the Gift of Hospitality.  This was not a gift that was passed down to me.  I practice it, but it doesn’t come naturally for me like it did for mom.

When I was a young child, I would hide under the kitchen table until I got shooed away.  “Stop listening ~~ go outside and play!”  I loved listening to the ladies laugh and sometimes cry.  They always knew they could come to Vicky’s house, have a cup of coffee and receive a few words of encouragement.

She was an Encourager, definitely a gift that was passed down to me.  Over cups of coffee, she helped me to see how God made me, and had also given me gifts.  Gifts that I needed to grow and develop to serve The Lord.

When my mother was alone, she would sit at the kitchen table, drink her coffee and make her lists.  These were her Prayer Lists, and she would pray for everyone who came into her house.  She would keep these Lists in her Bible, wake up early each day and pray over her Lists.  I loved peeking at the Lists, and I still do; but not because I wanted to know the Requests, they were private.  But because I loved seeing the requests crossed out as answered prayer.  Proof: God listens and answers.

I know that one of my mother’s own prayer requests was that I would have a daughter of my own, someone to Encourage and watch grow and develop her Gifts.  Praise God, another answered prayer.

Well, I’m off to Starbucks®, meeting my daughter for a cup of coffee and whatever else God has planned.

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.  Romans 12:10-13 NLT.

About Annmarie Lew:
Annmarie is a wife and mother of two, a software engineer and lives in Southern California with her husband of 30 years. Annmarie enjoys spending time with her husband Eric and playing with her dog Griffin.

On a Personal note ~~

I have the sweet pleasure of being a co-laborer alongside Annmarie in our church’s women’s ministries.  And I have to just say this, she is truly as genuine as her expressive thoughts in writing.  Annmarie is one of those people that captures your attention with her bright smile then holds your attention with her heartfelt words of encouragement.  Yes, her mama received answered prayer.  Love this woman to pieces.