Sometimes, the most generous thing we can give is our time. For Tim, giving up two hours a week at a café helped him grow in confidence and reconnect with his family. Never underestimate the power of listening, encouragement, and meaningful connections.
Tim was in year 10 at high school, beginning his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award. He was volunteering with us in our café. Being a shy lad, the customer facing part of café life was going to stretch him. I guess at 15, not many of us have developed the art of conversing with adults who are strangers! The cafe had him confronting this pretty quickly, and he slowly rose to the challenge.
Tim was with us for two hours a week every Thursday. Initially, he was happy washing up and keeping out of the way. He began clearing tables a few weeks in, then taking drinks to customers. He would manage the required chat and began to enjoy the customer contact. We’d chat and laugh with him on his shift too, and he grew in confidence with us.
After a few weeks, Tim’s mum came into the café and asked to speak with us. Had we expected too much? Or been a bit bossy? Maybe Tim was finding it too much and we’d not realised.
We sat down with her, ready to work out a way forward together. She began by asking what we did with Tim when he was with us, because she couldn’t figure it out. Every day of the week, Tim would get in from school and head up to his room, only to be seen briefly for food. She missed the interaction with him. Except on a Thursday. On this day each week he would come home like a different lad. He would sit in the lounge, chatting about the café, and spend time talking with them. He would eat an evening meal with the family, and be so energised and relaxed that he seemed like his old self.
His mum was emotional, and thanked us for everything we were doing with Tim. In reality, we were just giving him time - time and space to grow, listening ears and encouragement along the way. Meaningful connections with people are a great act of generosity. Our time is so valuable, and the value we show someone by giving them time can make all the difference.
Nick and Linda Castle, CLO Coffee/Revelation Trust
Reflect
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Romans 12:9-16 (NIV)
Pray
Pray that you may experience love in action, not just in emotion. Seek compassion that grows others through your time, interest and encouragement.
Act
Acts for you to consider today:
| Send a message or card to someone as you feel led. Has someone got things going on in life that you could check in on? | ||
| Call someone you haven’t spoken with in a while. Remember the details of their conversation, step out and offer to pray, either with them, or for them later. | ||
| Give time to someone you don’t know! Take a step of faith to connect. Lean on God’s nudging too. We often gravitate to people like us because ‘things in common’ create easier connection. What about someone who is different to you? |
Share
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About CLO Coffee
Linda and Nick Castle, founders of CLO Coffee. With a 16-year history of running local social enterprise coffee shops, and now running CLO as coffee roasters, supplying & equipping churches, community cafes, summer festivals, and more across the UK. They have four children from age 8 to age 17 with interests spanning football, music and acting. The youngest one has Down’s Syndrome and does modelling for an inclusive agency. They live in Leeds.
CLO Coffee is a part of the network of Gospel Entrepreneurs. Find out more about the work of Revelation Trust mentoring, coaching and investing in Gospel Entrepreneurs who are giving a strong Christian lead in social enterprise, church planting, ministry and business here.
