The coffee shop was on the corner of University and Jefferson. I had arrived early and found a table by the window, upstairs. Before diving into work emails, I sat for a few moments, watching life happen. Cars and people passed by. The room began to fill. A college student read. A small group of friends chatted. A young man sat across from an older man at the table by the far wall. As he asked questions about youth ministry, the older man listened attentively. 

All in the cafe were well-dressed and enjoying a cup of coffee or hot tea. It was a pleasant place to be on a chilly, winter morning.   

Suddenly, the hum of chatter stopped as a man limped in. He wore a coat, a dirty coat. He made his way to the table where the college student sat. I couldn’t hear what was said, but the college student opened his wallet and gave him a dollar.  

The man then limped to the next table where the older man and his young friend sat. Would he come to each table, asking for money? What would I do if he came to my table?   

What I saw next cut through my worry and wondering. It was a small, brief gesture, lasting no more than a few seconds. But I will likely never forget it. 

The older man looked into the eyes of the man in the dirty coat. He then reached out his hand to give him a fist bump. The man in the dirty coat hesitated, raised his shaky arm, and made a fist. The older man gave him a gentle fist bump.

“Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.” Matthew 8:3  
“But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’” Matthew 17:7 
“Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.” Matthew 20:34a 

I don’t know if money was then given. I don’t know what was said between them. But I do know that the man in the dirty coat was offered a touch of God’s goodness. Whether we’re in a coffee shop in a big city or sitting under a shade tree in a rural village, may God’s goodness so fill us today that we freely, joyfully offer it to all those He brings our way.