Originally Posted on June 28, 2023

Some nights, the passion that comes from being alive is enough to keep one awake writing well after bedtime.

Tonight, I met a table of strangers in a coffee shop overflowing with life.

As sunshine poured through the windows and onto the wooden floor of the shop entrance, I reviewed the menu and decided on an iced honey matcha, a drink I’d never tried.

While waiting on my order, I noticed dozens of plants; not only were there large potted plants at the entrance, but potted plants of all sizes surrounded the kitchen area.

Mellow music played softly as a few people chatted and laughed at their tables.

When I returned to the table of strangers and took a seat, I was greeted with smiles.

My matcha drink was as green and vibrant as the plants themselves but tasted sweet and smooth.

Stephanie, the group leader, welcomed everyone to the Bible study and opened with a prayer.

Sitting there in public with my head bowed, I took note of how special the moment was—to pray shamelessly aloud in a local Texas coffee shop with women I just met.

I missed that about America; I missed that freedom to pray to Jesus anywhere at any time.

About 10 minutes into the study, one of the women left the table and returned with a tiny baby in a car seat. For the next hour and 20 minutes, I got to glance over at the itsy-bitsy feet and hands of the 3-week-old baby girl, another reminder of the miracle of life.

One of the women read aloud 1 Samuel 25, and then we discussed the character of Abigail, who is described as an intelligent and beautiful woman who was married to a harsh man. After her difficult season of marriage to him, God carried her into a new season, and she married David, who became a king.

Around the table, the women shared bits and pieces of their own lives. Slowly, strangers became acquaintances, and these acquaintances took on various roles, from wives and mothers to teachers and account managers.

We were all different ages, from late 20s to mid-40s. We styled our hair and applied our makeup to our own liking. Some wore wedding rings, while others did not. Some dressed up in blouses, while others wore sport shorts. And together, in all our uniqueness, we talked about the mysteries of our God.

At the end of the study, we stood around talking for a few more minutes about upcoming events at Gateway in Fort Worth, as well as outdoor adventures like hiking and paddleboarding.

I left that Bible study feeling excited—just excited to be alive and living in the USA with opportunities galore.

The truth is that if you seek Jesus, you will always find Him, and you’ll walk away with unexplainable joy after sundown that is not from matcha but from passion in your soul.

As someone who finds herself in unfamiliar places often, I am used to meeting new people—but making real friends requires intentionality.

That intentionality is desirable when you know that fruit will come from your actions. Laughter will come. Healing will come. Energy will come.

Living alone and being alone are not the same.