Make Someone’s Day

P.S. (Pre-Script in this case): I actually wrote that post last night and it didn’t update. So this is a totally new post today. I’m excited that I’m blogging two days in a row, this is why I tell you that.

Okay, so down to business. I am at Starbucks working (don’t worry – this is my lunch break). And all of a sudden this girl comes in. She’s probably 20-ish. She seems kind of quiet and maybe a little awkward. Well this older barista yells her name, comes out from behind the counter and gives her the biggest hug I have seen in ages – we’re talking Ben Grindle style. She spends literally 10 minutes talking to her about what’s going on in the girl’s life and how much she has missed her. She told her that every day she comes to work, she wishes she’ll see her car because she loves whenever she sees her. She told her she thinks about her often.

Now I don’t know the back-story on this. The barista was one of the best that’s ever helped me, which leads me to believe she’s a stand-up lady. But who knows, she could be annoying or obnoxious. But I couldn’t help smiling at how much this barista was encouraging this girl. She made her feel like the only person in the room.

When other people have done that for me, no matter who they are or what their personality is, it makes.my.day. I feel like that person is truly thankful I’m on this planet and cares about me a lot. Who doesn’t love that feeling??

So because of this experience, I will be finding someone’s day to make. Whether or not it changes their week for the better, I know that I will get a smile from making someone feel like they are the most important person in the room. Don’t we all need that every now and then?

What’s Better than Finding a $20 in Your Pocket?

Finding an old Starbucks gift card!!! And it gets better than that. I had tried to reload a more current gift card online so that I could use their internet for free (only those familiar with the Starbucks internet plan probably know what I’m talking about). Well, I had accidentally reloaded my old gift card that I thought I’d thrown away… essentially wasting a good $10 I had hoped to spend on overpriced but tasty coffee drinks.

Well to my utter joy and jubilation, a couple days ago, I found my old gift card!!!!

It’s really the little things in life that get me…

Starbucks + Me + God = Time Well-Spent

Every now and then, I load up a massive bag of Bibles, books, journals, notecards, my computer and headphones and head over to my local Starbucks. I order a cup of my favorite coffee girly drink and pick out the perfect seat, where I proceed to unload all of my goodies. Immediately, I pick out a mellow or instrumental playlist on iTunes (listening to A Fine Frenzy as we speak), take a sip of my steaming (or sometimes freezing cold) cup of coffee and open up my Bible. And in those moments, I get to completely soak up the amazingness of God’s presence. To some of you, this may sound really lame, but these are truly some of the most precious moments I have.

In her Breaking Free videos, Beth Moore says there is something extremely special about mixing time with God with a cup of coffee, and I couldn’t agree more. I guess because coffee has a connotation of something cozy and comfortable, and that’s what I want my time with God to be.

I am so thankful that there are days where I can just completely unplug from the commitments of social life and work responsibilities and sit down and spend time alone with my Father. These are the days where I get to recharge my batteries and get ready for tough days ahead.

These four verses have specifically been ones that have pulled me through some difficult days lately:

Isaiah 61:1-4

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
       because the LORD has anointed me
       to preach good news to the poor.
       He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
       to proclaim freedom for the captives
       and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^[a]

 ² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
       and the day of vengeance of our God,
       to comfort all who mourn,

 ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
       to bestow on them a crown of beauty
       instead of ashes,
       the oil of gladness
       instead of mourning,
       and a garment of praise
       instead of a spirit of despair.
       They will be called oaks of righteousness,
       a planting of the LORD
       for the display of his splendor.

 ⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and restore the places long devastated;
       they will renew the ruined cities
       that have been devastated for generations.

These verses are the basis of Beth Moore’s “Breaking Free” study that has truly been a life-changing experience for me. In addition to that, they were the focus Scriptures for a recent sermon at All Souls Fellowship, called The Resurrection and Beauty. I highly recommend purchasing the Breaking Free workbook and listening to the All Souls sermon.

Finally, the last set of verses that have been such an encouragement to me:

Isaiah 43:1-2

¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
       he who created you, O Jacob,
       he who formed you, O Israel:
       “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
       I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

 ² When you pass through the waters,
       I will be with you;
       and when you pass through the rivers,
       they will not sweep over you.
       When you walk through the fire,
       you will not be burned;
       the flames will not set you ablaze.

So good!