It’s been two weeks since my spur-of-the-moment decision to become a barista became a reality. I love a good ole cup of joe so brewing it and smelling it all day long is quite wonderful. A little extra income couldn’t hurt either.
During this time I’ve learned a few things all over again that are worth sharing. Lot’s of human interaction results in LOTS of learning.
1. People need love.
As I stood at the drive-thru window a lady in her fifties looked up at me with a faint smile. I read her total of $7.47 and asked her how her day was, per routine, and she replied, “Well actually, It’s been rough.” I was caught off guard by her response after hearing “good” and “fine” all day.
The Holy Spirit urged me to ask her why, so I did. “My husband was diagnosed with cancer,” she explained. I could see her suppressing tears and my heart broke. I asked her name, took her hand, and the Lord took over. He spoke through me and allowed me to tell her a tiny morsel of truth.
I made sure she knew that He has the power that no earthly sickness can compare to and made a promise to pray for unexplainable peace. Yes, I destroyed our drive-thru time but in the big scheme of eternity, I’m pretty sure IT’S WORTH IT. If you get a chance this week, pray for Mrs. Barbara and her husband Bob.
2. People look up to you.
A young mother and her little girl dressed up in a tutu showed up for hot chocolates. The little girl looked at me with her bright blue eyes and quietly whispered something to her mom. Her mom laughingly explained, “My four year old said she wants to work here when she grows up.”
Moral of the story, people are watching you… your words, your actions, your attitude. You might be having a bad day but that little girl or little boy admires you and is soaking in your every word. You’re never too young nor too old to be admired by someone.
3. People are beautiful.
I witnessed the most amazing thing this week. A young couple decided to pay for the car behind them as well as their own order. How sweet is that?! It didn’t stop there though… The next car pulled up and I explained that their drink had been paid forward and they decided to do the same. You can guess the rest… This continued for nine cars. NINE.
While not every person is the same amount of beautiful, there is beauty in every human being. Even the man that rolls his eyes when you tell him you’re out of maple pecan lattes or the teenager driving a brand-spanking-new Beamer who is convinced they’re God’s gift to the world. Crack the shell and find a topic you can relate on. They have families, they have pets, they have likes and dislikes. Your demeanor can change even the hardest heart.
If you gain anything from reading this, realize that YOU have the power to transform someone's day and that’s basically a superpower if you ask me. Wherever you are, regardless of if it’s hanging out with friends or working overtime, be present. Live with a grateful mindset and a heart of service. You might not want to get up at 3:30 to brew coffee but that’s my mission field right now so you better believe I’m up and at 'em! I might be running on 4 hours of sleep but that’s a conversation for another time…
