Monday, July 23, 2012

Finding Peace at Cafe Markusplatz

I've been searching for peace and losing the battle this past week. Between acute growing pains in my new country, the arrival of our shipment,  our subsequent settling-in and preparation for our first trip out of Vienna, most days I have lost sight of it--those golden rays of peace that usually form my safety net. I forget that God is with me, carrying me through the madness. I find myself more often crying: Help me Jesus! I have lost faith!

I'm working on it...or more importantly asking Him to draw me nearer--to help me find joy and constant fulfilment in Him.

This week I needed my coffee break--my undisputed carved-out time that is for Him and Him only. Even though I've been back in my Study Bible and reading The Gospel, the feeling of His tangible presence has evaded me.

So I picked a cafe at random from my list and went in search of it. I found myself in Cafe Markusplatz where the walls are lined with mirrors and posters glued upon posters. The waiters are handsome and courteous. The guests sit in wobbly spindle-legged chairs and keep to themselves. Fiakers clip clop down the street at regular intervals and most people I see wandering down the street carry with them a cone from Eissalon Tuchlauben.

Once I find my seat, I hardly regard the double espresso and applestrudel cake Herr Ober promptly delivers.  I am hungry for my Savior's presence.  He tells me He is with me--that His light should only be brighter in my brief moments of darkness. I beg of Him to keep me--to draw me near--to teach me how to feel His presence always. Markusplatz is my confessional and here I lay my soul bare.

I pray for peace for me and mine. For you. For my girls. For the man on the street. For the cook in the kitchen.  I could stay in this Cafe forever, basking in His light. I bottle it up and tuck it in my soul--His spirit will come with me when my seat is deserted.  I have found His peace again--always in my coffee--my coffee house cathedral. Where the murmers at the neighboring tables might as well be a swelling choir. My soul sings out to the Lord. Immanuel. God with us.

Peace be with you, my friends. Always--not just in your coffee.

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