15 Minutes At A Time

I got to campus early tonight. Starbucks is currently selling the delicious chile mocha, and I was craving one after a long (but decent) day of teaching.

I had a plan. I would drop off my stuff in the classroom, walk to Starbucks to get my coffee, and then go back to the classroom to take stock of where I was with my assignments.

On my way to dropping of my stuff, though, I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen in a couple of months. After hugs, we stood and talked for about 15 minutes.

As I was talking to her, I saw my former college minister and mentor whom I hadn’t seen in years! She was on campus for a special event and I happened to be standing near her car as she prepared to leave. After hugs, we stood and talked for about 15 minutes.

It was so great to catch up with both of those friends.

After dropping off my things, I bumped into a classmate who had also arrived early. She had had a family emergency last week and needed to share the details of what had transpired. For about 15 minutes, I listened as she shared how God had worked in her family’s life. Empty Starbucks cup staring at me, I silently reminded myself that this was more important than coffee—that these are the moments where life happens.

Once finished giving testimony to God’s hand in her life, my classmate asked where she could find the library reserves. I told her I’d be happy to show her because…well…they are very close to Starbucks.

So we walked to Starbucks. And I got my iced chile mocha. And as we were leaving, another classmate walked in. I greeted her with open arms. We waited with her until her drink had been made. All-in-all, I was in Starbucks for about 15 minutes—talking up a storm to my classmates and the baristas.

We got to class with about 15 minutes to spare. I didn’t get a chance to take stock of where I was in my assignments. But that didn’t matter. I had gotten a chance to do life with people—to hug and talk and listen and laugh…and to celebrate that my voice is strong enough that I can talk (although I know that I still need to rest it whenever possible—even if that means putting myself in time out a few times a day).

Friends: Plans are good—especially when trying to maneuver many moving pieces and keep them from crashing into one another. But sometimes life has a way of interrupting our plans and refreshing our spirits through people—through conversations—through celebrations—15 unplanned minutes at a time.

I am so thankful.