Marc approaches the counter and the barista is waiting on Sally. He over hears the conversation between the two of them. “This will be the last time I am able to come in for a while,” Sally said. “I am strapped for funds right now. School fees are due and I’m having to work overtime to pay for them.”
The barista just looks at her and says, “That will be $3.25.” She does not even acknowledge the statement Sally just made. The barista sees Sally as just another customer that comes in periodically to get a caffeine fix. Sally sees the barista as a friend that fixes her something very special every week. Sally sits down at her normal seat. She begins to stare out the window as usual. She is slowly sipping her latte, knowing this will be the last one for a while.
Marc gets his coffee and walks over to the table where he laid down his stuff. He takes out his Bible and his notebook. He opens his notebook revealing what he had written last week. Focus #2: Become the salt of the earth and light of the world. He prays, “Father help me be the salt and light in this place, in this world. Amen”
Marc opens his Bible and continues to read the Sermon on the Mount. He reads how Jesus followers should live their life. How living a moral life is a heart issue. How adultery begins at lust and murder begins with anger. He reads how Jesus says that we are to “love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.”
About that time Toby walks by, snickering and shaking his head. He quietly mumbles, “Idiot,” as he walks by Marc. Marc looks up to see Toby sit down at a table in the corner. He sees him pick up Christopher Hitchen’s book, “God is not Great.”
Marc gets to the beginning of Matthew 6 where Jesus begins to talk about doing acts of righteousness. He begins to focus on the beginning of verse two and three. They both have a similar phrase, “when you give to the needy.” It is said as if being a Jesus follower means that giving to the needy is a regular practice. He writes in his note book under his last entry so it looks like this:
Focus #2: Become the salt of the earth and light of the world
- give to the needy
Marc looks at Sally. He remembers the one sided conversation she had with the barista. He walks up to the counter and Henry steps in line behind him. Marc says to the barista, “I would like to get a $25 gift card.” The barista gets the card. As she hands it to Marc, he says, “No, give it to the lady by the window, but don’t let her know where it came from.”
Henry sees this transaction take place. He wonders why this guy would give such a gift to a woman with Sally’s reputation. He watches Marc walk over to his table, pick up his note book and Bible. He sees him put them in his backpack and walk out.
About that time, Sally gets up to leave. As she walks by the barista, the barista stops her and gives her the gift card. “What’s this,” Sally asked?
“Someone wanted you to have it,” the barista said.
Sally looked around to see if she had an admirer. Everyone she looked at seemed to be focused on their own business. Sally slowly walked out of the café, glancing back to see if she could find the person who passed on such a thoughtful gift. Henry sat down on a couch and picked up the paper but could not concentrate because he was curious as to what he had just witnessed.
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