First We Have Coffee

I started the new year off by reading “First We Have Coffee,” a book I’d enjoyed reading several times in the past, but one which I hadn’t picked up in a number of years. Margaret Jensen is a masterful storyteller. Though her writing style is simple, the faith and godly insights which fill her story are profound. Reading her story encouraged my faith and brought fresh conviction to my heart.

Jensen writes about her life experiences growing up in a Scandinavian immigrant family where her Papa was a preacher, often distracted by his study and his ministry. Her Mama, with unshakable faith, opened her heart and her home to whomever Papa would send her way – from lumberjacks to orphans to neighbors to the homeless – dispensing equal servings of Norwegian coffee and Christlike love. “Mama, as always, was prepared for the unexpected, and with her compassionate heart made each stranger feel a part of the family. ‘Ven you have heart room you have house room,’ she reminded us often.”

My mom used to read this book to us when we were younger. I can remember her having to hand the book off to one of us because she could no longer read through the tears. With seven children, I think my mom could relate to Mama throwing her apron over her head when she needed to escape the chaos and cry out to the Lord! Though I loved the book as a young adult, I think I appreciate it more today. A little bit more life experience has made me understand and admire the immense faith of Jensen’s mama and my own mom. This reading certainly brought out more emotions – by the time I was finished, I had cried so hard I was splotchy-faced and congested and nursing a tear-induced headache! My husband thinks I’m crazy for enjoying books which leave me in such an emotional mess, but trust me – it was a good mess!

Sometimes the simplest stories can be the most profound. I found encouragement on many levels as I read Mama’s story – as a woman, as a wife, as a mother, and as a Christian. “First We Have Coffee” is an inspiring story of a woman who poured out her life to everyone God put in her path. “Her offering to God – a life of faith. Her offering on earth – the work of her hands.”