By Nicole L. Lawrence
As a big time coffee lover you can imagine how thrilled I was when I was offered a job to become a Starbucks barista. I remember that blessed moment I was handed that sacred heather green apron. I truly enjoy my job at Starbucks because it's a wonderful company, I have great co-workers and loyal customers.
Before I even worked there I spent several hours in their stores between meeting with friends or studying sessions by myself. I've often found coffee shops in general to be a sanctuary. If God had a scent he would smell like a fresh cup of coffee.
Since I've started my adventure as a barista it's opened my eyes to new ideas about the Kingdom of Heaven.
- The little things make a big difference
You'd be surprised how people react when I look them in the eye when I'm talking to them, or when I ask for their name for a drink order. People aren't used to it. One time I asked a man his name, and I started at me for a moment like I was crazy. Then he shook his head and only gave me his first initial. How sad is that? Not meaning for the man, but society in general.
Then there are people who will stand at the bar with me and have a lengthy conversation. I can feel their thirst for someone to simply notice them and take a moment to listen. That's not a lot to ask, right?
Honesty it distresses me to to have more than a minimal interaction with strangers, but a major part of my job is customer service so it forces me to reach out more than I normally would. It's been a blessing because it's made me a better Christian.
Today it's all about go in and get out as quickly as possible with as little human interaction as possible. I'm guilty of this my myself. At the grocery store I I groan if there's a long line at the self check-out.
God created humans for connection. We literally need to interact with other people to live. It's a struggle to physically connect in an introverted society. As uncomfortable as it is, make an effort to genuinely take time to notice, and if you dare, listen to the people around you. Honestly it doesn't take much to leave a lasting impression...that goes both way.
P.S. When you take time to think about other people you spend less time thinking about yourself. Lets just say it's a good feeling.
- Don't just be a Christian at church
Most of the people I work with, Christians and Non-Christians, hate working the mid-Sunday shift because that is the pre and post church crowd...a.k.a. the the uptight crowd. I'm not saying this goes for all church goes, but Christians are some of the worst customers. The only reason I learned a handful of the customers went to church is because they came in on Sunday morning in nice dress clothes with their Bibles in hand. But on a busy morning I never would have guessed.
I once had a conversation with a customer who was talking about her church service with me, so I asked her where she attended. Then I told her I went to a different local church. She gave me a look and said something along the lines, "Oh, I never would have guessed since you're usually here Sunday morning." Let's just make something clear. Not all churches meet on Sunday morning. More importantly, Christianity is not about whether you're at a church every Sunday. In fact, your faith is tested a whole more outside of church. Don't get me wrong, church is a great way to connect with other believers and set time aside to praise God, but it's not the only place and time. We are called to be like Jesus. I think it's clear Jesus' ministry was mostly happening outside of the synagogue.
- Holy moments happen in the most unlikely places
To go off my last point, church is not the only place to grow closer to God and his believes. I've experienced and witnessed several moments where I knew the spirit of God was present. It's little things like a couple praying over their cup of coffee or a group of friends catching up after not speaking for a while. Our bodies are temples that go with us everywhere.
When I got my job at Starbucks I had only been married for a month, so I was still new in town and I didn't have many friends. My husband is in the military and his schedule forces him to be gone several days at a time. I was alone in a strange new place, hundreds of miles away from my friends and family. One day I was off work I went into the store because I would drive myself insane sitting at home alone. I ended up sitting next to a man who is one of our daily customers. As I was minding my own business he began making small talk with me. At first I was annoyed because he interrupted me while I was in the middle of a chapter, but he was always so and I didn't want to be rude. He just asked me a few questions, and once I told him I'd recently moved in he began to tell me several things about town. It didn't take long for me to conclude that he lived by himself and he was lonely. I always wondered why he would come to the store and just sit there for hours. Then I realized he was like me and probably didn't want to sit at home alone. Then, before he left he told me it was really nice talking with me. Suddenly I was filled with joy. It felt as though God knew my heart was hurting and longing for acceptance. For one of first times I felt welcome in a strange place. God knew two strangers in similar situations, and he heeled our heartache with just a 15 minute conversation. That was a holy moment for me.
-Loving you neighbor includes EVERYONE
Sometimes I feel like people treat me like a barista robot. As if I'm supposed to be a perfect machine capable of doing the task they want in an effortless manor. Sorry, but I'm human and I don't get it right every time. There are customers who are loving the tender to their friends and family, but if I mess up their caramel frappuccino they treat me like the scum of the earth.
People make an effort to love their friends and family, but strangers aren't worth the energy. That's the world's view, but Christians are told to be transformed by the will of God. To be in the world, but not of the world. "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:46-48). Jesus calls us to love our neighbors, our enemies and everyone in between. That means you should love your boring math teacher, the police officer who gives you a ticket, your in-complainant boss and even your coffee baristia. We're all human. We all have good and bad days, but more importantly we all have feelings. Everyone feels shame when faced with rejection and criticism. So why is compassion so uncommon? It's the golden rule. Treat people the way you would hope to be treated if you were in their position.
Before I even worked there I spent several hours in their stores between meeting with friends or studying sessions by myself. I've often found coffee shops in general to be a sanctuary. If God had a scent he would smell like a fresh cup of coffee.
Since I've started my adventure as a barista it's opened my eyes to new ideas about the Kingdom of Heaven.
- The little things make a big difference
You'd be surprised how people react when I look them in the eye when I'm talking to them, or when I ask for their name for a drink order. People aren't used to it. One time I asked a man his name, and I started at me for a moment like I was crazy. Then he shook his head and only gave me his first initial. How sad is that? Not meaning for the man, but society in general.
Then there are people who will stand at the bar with me and have a lengthy conversation. I can feel their thirst for someone to simply notice them and take a moment to listen. That's not a lot to ask, right?
Honesty it distresses me to to have more than a minimal interaction with strangers, but a major part of my job is customer service so it forces me to reach out more than I normally would. It's been a blessing because it's made me a better Christian.
Today it's all about go in and get out as quickly as possible with as little human interaction as possible. I'm guilty of this my myself. At the grocery store I I groan if there's a long line at the self check-out.
God created humans for connection. We literally need to interact with other people to live. It's a struggle to physically connect in an introverted society. As uncomfortable as it is, make an effort to genuinely take time to notice, and if you dare, listen to the people around you. Honestly it doesn't take much to leave a lasting impression...that goes both way.
P.S. When you take time to think about other people you spend less time thinking about yourself. Lets just say it's a good feeling.
- Don't just be a Christian at church
Most of the people I work with, Christians and Non-Christians, hate working the mid-Sunday shift because that is the pre and post church crowd...a.k.a. the the uptight crowd. I'm not saying this goes for all church goes, but Christians are some of the worst customers. The only reason I learned a handful of the customers went to church is because they came in on Sunday morning in nice dress clothes with their Bibles in hand. But on a busy morning I never would have guessed.
I once had a conversation with a customer who was talking about her church service with me, so I asked her where she attended. Then I told her I went to a different local church. She gave me a look and said something along the lines, "Oh, I never would have guessed since you're usually here Sunday morning." Let's just make something clear. Not all churches meet on Sunday morning. More importantly, Christianity is not about whether you're at a church every Sunday. In fact, your faith is tested a whole more outside of church. Don't get me wrong, church is a great way to connect with other believers and set time aside to praise God, but it's not the only place and time. We are called to be like Jesus. I think it's clear Jesus' ministry was mostly happening outside of the synagogue.
- Holy moments happen in the most unlikely places
To go off my last point, church is not the only place to grow closer to God and his believes. I've experienced and witnessed several moments where I knew the spirit of God was present. It's little things like a couple praying over their cup of coffee or a group of friends catching up after not speaking for a while. Our bodies are temples that go with us everywhere.
When I got my job at Starbucks I had only been married for a month, so I was still new in town and I didn't have many friends. My husband is in the military and his schedule forces him to be gone several days at a time. I was alone in a strange new place, hundreds of miles away from my friends and family. One day I was off work I went into the store because I would drive myself insane sitting at home alone. I ended up sitting next to a man who is one of our daily customers. As I was minding my own business he began making small talk with me. At first I was annoyed because he interrupted me while I was in the middle of a chapter, but he was always so and I didn't want to be rude. He just asked me a few questions, and once I told him I'd recently moved in he began to tell me several things about town. It didn't take long for me to conclude that he lived by himself and he was lonely. I always wondered why he would come to the store and just sit there for hours. Then I realized he was like me and probably didn't want to sit at home alone. Then, before he left he told me it was really nice talking with me. Suddenly I was filled with joy. It felt as though God knew my heart was hurting and longing for acceptance. For one of first times I felt welcome in a strange place. God knew two strangers in similar situations, and he heeled our heartache with just a 15 minute conversation. That was a holy moment for me.
-Loving you neighbor includes EVERYONE
Sometimes I feel like people treat me like a barista robot. As if I'm supposed to be a perfect machine capable of doing the task they want in an effortless manor. Sorry, but I'm human and I don't get it right every time. There are customers who are loving the tender to their friends and family, but if I mess up their caramel frappuccino they treat me like the scum of the earth.
People make an effort to love their friends and family, but strangers aren't worth the energy. That's the world's view, but Christians are told to be transformed by the will of God. To be in the world, but not of the world. "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:46-48). Jesus calls us to love our neighbors, our enemies and everyone in between. That means you should love your boring math teacher, the police officer who gives you a ticket, your in-complainant boss and even your coffee baristia. We're all human. We all have good and bad days, but more importantly we all have feelings. Everyone feels shame when faced with rejection and criticism. So why is compassion so uncommon? It's the golden rule. Treat people the way you would hope to be treated if you were in their position.