A couple months ago our church scheduled a random Tuesday before Easter to provide a Coffee and Donut Drive-Thru for our neighborhood. This is a meaningful morning of service on a normal Tuesday to people on their way to work or to drop kids off at school. On this specific Tuesday, the event took on unusual significance because of the communal trauma in Nashville we all endured the day before through the Covenant School shooting.
We served about the same number of people we normally do – around 115. I am not sure how many cars we prayed for, but many of the cars had emotional parents on their way to drop their children off at school. One dad, who had two elementary-aged girls in his backseat, broke down sobbing when I asked to pray for him and his family. Many of the parents asked me to pray for wisdom as they guide their kids through this tragedy. In our neighborhood, just about each family has a connection to Covenant Presbyterian School. In fact, two of my neighbors, directly behind me, have kids that go to school there (all their children are safe).
The thought has crossed my mind that this particular Tuesday was not a random choice on the calendar for us. Rather, it was a Divine appointment. In fact, we changed the original date on the calendar to be this Tuesday so that we could advertise for Easter. Yet this particular Tuesday was not about advertisements for our church. That day was about being a non-anxious, loving, and compassionate presence in this neighborhood. Yes, it is nice to give out donuts and coffee. Yes, it is wonderful to serve. On this day though it was more about showing up for our neighbors who are hurting, wounded, and searching for direction.
When we take the Lord’s Supper, it serves as a reminder of what the Lord Jesus has done for us. It reminds us of the forgiveness of sins and the new covenant found through faith in Jesus and the faithfulness of Jesus. It reminds us that God’s Grace is ever near. It reminds us that we are to serve one another in love just as Christ loved us.
Last Tuesday, coffee and donuts served as a reminder to our neighborhood that we love them and more importantly that Jesus loves them. It showed that God has gone before us and given us a gift of life, and today we get to show up and enjoy what God has given us. Yes, we are grieving and asking hard questions. We grieve and point to the hope that Jesus gives.
Somehow Dunkin Donuts® and Maxwell House™ coffee were more than donuts and coffee. They were reminders of God’s love for his world through the church. It was a hard week last week. It will be a hard few weeks in Nashville full of discussion about what should or should not be done in light of horrific tragedies. In the midst of the pain and confusion, God is there and God is with us.
What a sacred ministry to carry out. I am thankful the Lord directed your church to serve on Sunday, and I admire how you all did so with loving faithfulness.