You and Erford at The Dead Salamander

You are enjoying getting to know Erford, a college student from out of town. He’s young in the Lord and he has quickly adopted you as an unofficial mentor. It’s flattering to think God has brought him into your life for the purpose of launching him deeper into his walk with Christ. However, he seemed a little ill at ease when you made the appointment to meet him at The Dead Salamander coffee shop. 

Now, as you arrive, he is obviously nervous. The vulnerability in his eyes alarms you. He's worried and you can't imagine why. When you invite him to join you at the counter to order your mochas he asks if he could talk with you first...over there...at that remote table. There he sighs and you learn something you did not know.

Erford's parents warned him very strictly that even though he was away from home he should not be “hanging out” in places where “ungodly college students” and “no goods” are regular customers. Besides that! Their former church was very strict about stimulants; and caffeine is what The Dead Salamander is all about.

He trusts you. On your shoulders rests the dilemma of  important vs. immediate priorities.

What is the most important thing Erford needs in his walk with Christ?

What is the first thing he needs to know to get there?

What do you do now to help bring about that first thing?
How are you going to survive without a mocha fix?

Your anticipation of a frothy beverage laced with Amaretto fades. You say to him, in the spirit of First Corinthians 8:13,  “Erford, I don’t care if you ever drink coffee. As for the Salamander, I had to work through that, too. The most important thing right now is that your conscience be always clear and good. What do you say we get a couple bottles of water and take a long walk in the park?”

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