The $4 Cup of Tea That Wasn’t About the Tea: How Small Moments Can Lead to Big Impact

Recently, I walked into one of my favorite local coffee and tea spots. I say coffee because that’s what they mostly sell, but I don’t even drink the stuff. I’m there for the carrot cake tea (yes, it exists, and yes, it’s magical). I was ready to knock out some work when I spotted a familiar face, someone I’ve known for a while but hadn’t seen or connected with in forever. We locked eyes, gave each other that “I see you” nod, and I made my way to the back of a line that was at least eight people deep.

Then, he beckoned me to come up.

At first, I thought he just wanted to say hello, but then he turned to the cashier and told them to add my order to his ticket. Time slowed down. My brain immediately went into overdrive. Why does he want to buy my tea? What’s the catch? What am I unknowingly committing to by accepting this $4 cup of tea?

But amid all my overthinking, a quiet thought surfaced: What if this is just a kind gesture? What if I simply accept it and see where it leads?

So, I took him up on the offer and ordered my usual carrot cake tea. As we waited for our drinks, we started chatting. And I’ll be honest, at first, I was just trying to feel him out. I was waiting for the ask, the pitch, the favor he surely wanted in return.

But the ask never came.

Instead, as we talked, he opened up about how he had been struggling lately. He felt isolated and didn’t trust many people, but for some reason, in that moment, he felt comfortable enough to share what was on his heart. He just needed someone to listen.

And in that moment, I realized something profound: I was in the right place at the right time—not for me, but for him.

So, I listened. I encouraged him. And before we parted ways, I asked if I could offer a prayer for him. He nodded and said, “I’ll take all the prayer I can get.”

A Lesson in Presence

This small encounter was a powerful reminder of something I tell people all the time: It’s all about you, and not about you at the same time.

We all have things to do—deadlines to meet, goals to chase, plans to check off. But every now and then, life does what life does—it shows up with one of those quiet reminders you didn’t know you needed: it’s not always about what we need; it’s about what someone else might need from us.

That day, my to-do list quietly moved to the background, because someone needed a moment of encouragement. And if I had been too locked in on my own agenda, I would’ve missed the chance to show up for them in a way that mattered.

Now, I get it—for some, you may not be in a season where you can pause or be present in that way. And that’s okay. But if and when you do have the space, lean into those moments. You never know the impact a few intentional minutes could have on someone else—and maybe even on you.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Not every act of kindness comes with a hidden agenda. Sometimes, people simply want to give without expecting anything in return. Learn to receive generosity without suspicion.

• Being present can shift someone’s entire day—or even their life. You never know who needs encouragement, and sometimes, simply showing up and listening is the most powerful thing you can offer.

• Divine appointments tend to show up when you least expect them. Whether you believe in faith, fate, or coincidence, there are moments when you’re placed exactly where you need to be, for someone else’s sake.

Final Thoughts

That $4 cup of tea? It wasn’t really about tea at all. It was about connection. About being available. About remembering that sometimes, our presence is the biggest gift we can give.

So the next time someone offers you a small act of kindness—whether it’s buying your coffee, giving you a compliment, or simply starting a conversation—pause. Instead of questioning it, receive it. Embrace it. Because you never know what kind of impact that one moment might carry, for them, or for you.

You thought you were just getting tea—but maybe you were meant to be the moment someone needed.