a story of "suspended" coffee
When I worked for a coffee shop, occasionally I would have folks order a cup of "suspended coffee." I also had folks pay for the driver behind them in the drive through--once going so far as to have 19 "pay-it-forwards" in a row! If you think it didn't make my heart glad, it did! In fact, by the time it was done, I was crying in gratitude that people can be so generous!
Read on:
Read on:
This story will warm you better than a coffee in a cold winter day:
"We enter a little coffeehouse with a friend of mine and give our order. While we're approaching our table two people come in and they go to the counter -
'Five coffees, please. Two of them for us and three suspended'
They pay for their order, take the two and leave. I ask my friend:
'What are those 'suspended' coffees ?'
'Wait for it and you will see'
Some more people enter. Two girls ask for one coffee each, pay and go. The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by three lawyers - three for them and four 'suspended'. While I still wonder what's the deal with those 'suspended' coffees I enjoy the sunny weather and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the café. Suddenly a man dressed in shabby clothes who looks like a beggar comes in through the door and kindly asks
'Do you have a suspended coffee ?'
It's simple - people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can not afford a warm beverage. The tradition with the suspended coffees started in Naples, but it has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal."
"We enter a little coffeehouse with a friend of mine and give our order. While we're approaching our table two people come in and they go to the counter -
'Five coffees, please. Two of them for us and three suspended'
They pay for their order, take the two and leave. I ask my friend:
'What are those 'suspended' coffees ?'
'Wait for it and you will see'
Some more people enter. Two girls ask for one coffee each, pay and go. The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by three lawyers - three for them and four 'suspended'. While I still wonder what's the deal with those 'suspended' coffees I enjoy the sunny weather and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the café. Suddenly a man dressed in shabby clothes who looks like a beggar comes in through the door and kindly asks
'Do you have a suspended coffee ?'
It's simple - people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can not afford a warm beverage. The tradition with the suspended coffees started in Naples, but it has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal."
(posted by:Richard Morel of Starbuck's)
"The poor we will always have with us." So said Jesus. In our sad global economic climate, things may only get worse. As long as the have's outnumber the have nots, there will be misery--UNLESS those who have...share with those who have not. Then we create a balance. (and for anyone who dares to say that this is enabling....think again!)
ReplyDeletethe picture alone says it all!
ReplyDeleteI was at a restaurant celebrating my birthday two months ago with my husband. I asked my server for the check and she said it had already been paid by someone else. I looked around, the restaurant was empty except for a husband and wife who had been there before and had just left. They obviously seemed so much in love as the wife giggled at every little thing he told her. They were holding hands while waiting for their meal. To be so in love...and to have shared that love with me by paying my bill, I felt so blessed! I didn't have the chance to thank them, but I am now. Because I didn't know until now...until I happened by this site several weeks ago and saw your picture online, that it was YOU, Reverend Baum! Thank you again for making my day so special. I have since passed your little gesture on several times over!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't expect anything less from the both of them! :)
Deleteand today Pope Francis washed the feet of a Muslim woman....why do we act so surprised when folks do some good? and we act shocked when folks are bad! Why can't we just be like Jesus...be a light bearer in the world with no questions asked?
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed Easter weekend...from Paddy here in Ireland! Keep up the good work on your blog!