However, I say to you, love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them. Matthew 5:44 (The Passion Translation, TPT)

Today as you go about your day, focus on ways you can be a light and a blessing to others, especially those who don’t particularly like you. So much of the time, we focus on having a good day ourselves, but if we do something to help someone else have a good day, we will find that it can eventually open the door for us to witness to them.

If you work with a difficult person, or maybe even difficult people, think of some way you can brighten their day. Maybe it’s as simple as surprising them by bringing in donuts or a cup of coffee. And be specific in what you do. If you bring in coffee for someone with cream and sugar but they prefer it black, it is not as impactful as someone who brings in a cup of coffee made just the way the person likes it. It sounds like a lot of effort, but such attention to detail can make a big statement in showing hardened people that you care about them. When we take the time to remember small details like the way someone likes their coffee, it means that we see value in that person.

Over time, as we do these little things to bless people, they may begin to gradually soften towards us and then lower their guard and let us in. It takes time, but a cup of coffee here, and a donut there, a birthday card here, and ride home from work there, combined with a general attitude of kindness will eventually wear down their resistance. The key is being patient and not giving up on them.

And once you get past the hard outer shell of a person and discover the fragile, vulnerable person within, you have uncovered a treasure. By loving the unlovely, we are able to reach the untouchable places in a person. Once we have gained their trust, they are free to share their hurts and disappointments, and once they do, they can heal. And in the process, as we introduce them to Jesus Christ, they are made whole.

And just think, it all began with a cup of coffee- made the right way.