A Barista's Eyes: Don't I know you?

In case you all did not know, I work as a Barista for Starbucks coffee. I have for over 2 years actually. Well in this line of work its more than delicious beverages and jolly times, this is a line of duty where you can meet some very interesting people, to say the least. Some people are crazy about their drinks (what they order, the way they order, etc...), some are complainers (which I loathe when it is done for its own purpose), some are mean, some are super nice, and one insists that she knows you! 

So on an average night during the summer our store tends to be slow of business. Tonight was an average night. My co-worker Imaad and I were having a good time talking while we worked. Imaad and I have many stimulating conversations about pop-culture, politics, philosophy, religion (Imaad is a Muslim so these conversations are straight up insightful, not inciteful), and crazy moms.

Around 9:40 a girl comes in. She doesn't order anything, but comes up to the counter to talk to Imaad. She asked him where he was from and what high school he went to because she was convinced that she knew him. Well, the high school thing wasn't it. She then began to go through what seemed like her whole life story to see if he fit anywhere in it. Did you ever go to this place? Have you ever eaten at this restaurant? Have you ever heard of this company? Have you ever been to this state, or that country or flown on this airway? Did you go to a wedding about two weeks ago in Duluth? 

To all of these questions the answer was no. While all of this was going on, I was minding my own business cleaning and making drinks. The five customers in the cafe were all aware of the hilarious interrogation going. They were whispering and staring and laughing from  time-to-time. In my mind I was thinking "maybe you know him because you came in here three hours ago and he made you're drink?" Apparantly there had to be more...

Finally, as if this wouldn't have been the best place to start, she says "you know, I work for Starbucks too!" Hmm. Interesting. 

"Well where do you work?" asked Imaad

"Oh, all over. Lots of different stores," she said as she proceeded to list off a few. As it turns out they were stores near stores that both Imaad and I were familiar with. So the interrogation continued. "Do you know this person? or that person" "No" 

"Have you ever worked at this store or that?"

"No, but my brother did for a while"

"Oh does he look like you?"

We both shake our heads as Imaad says "haha no"

"Well one night I will wake up in a cold sweat remembering where I know you from" She finished

 finally she left, giving us her card to call her if we had any hours to give away (which we dont! We are all struggling as it is!)

Once she had passed through the front door and everyone heard it close it seemed like everyone in the store synchronized said "Oh my God!" including Imaad, a girl and two guys at a table, a funny old asian man, and myself (with the euphomized 'Gosh' replacing God) and then they all laughed.

The girl was straight up crazy and wasted so much of our time! We went on the rest of the night to joke about these things and others. My thoughts? Well i think she just wanted Imaad really bad and couldn't bring herself to leave.

Grace, forgiveness, and restoration

Have you, Christian and non-christian, ever seen a family on the brink of disestablishment, about to be torn apart because of the unfaithfulness of a parent and spouse? Yes, I believe that affairs followed by divorce are growing in their commonality within our culture. It hurts! so much it hurts! It cuts to the deepest places of our heart and soul and leaves wounds and scars that serve as a reminder of the diservice done. These wounds and scars seem to have a very appropriate place within our lives and I have a hard time not justifying them, but two days ago I got to experience healing.

Grace Baptist Church is a family. We go through hardships along with our joyous moments. We praise together and we mourne and weep together because that is what families do! Well this past Sunday, a dear friend came back. He came back to our church and back to his family. After a long time of playing cat and mouse in councilling and seeking repentance (let me just say that God works and just because things don't turn around on the timeline we want God is still powerful) he apologized to our whole family (church) very specifically. He asked his kids for forgiveness, he asked his wife for forgiveness, he asked our pastor for forgiveness, he asked our whole family for forgiveness. I wish I could accurately verbalize what we experienced. I believe it is a glimpse of the truth and promise of Freedom!

Yes, we were all crying. Tears of grief and sorrowful joy. I love this friend. Don't let anyone tell you that their choices don't affect anyone else! That is the farthest thing from the truth. My sin hurts everyone around me, especially those who look up to me.

We had the blessed opportunity to open the scripture and seek God's encouragement in this difficult and joyous situation.

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it (righteousness) my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way..." (philippians 3:12-15)

God's grace is so awesome! We need to see that. And when we see how awesome God's grace and forgiveness is to us (I deserve what? eternal damnation because of what I do to God and everyone else every day of my life. I lust. I'm dishonest. I cut you down with wicked words) we can give it to our brothers and sisters who need it. After all " if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:15).

When you open your heart to forgive there can be restoration, reconciliation and healing. We are not there yet, but we are on our way...

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness... Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:1,2)

The happiest moment I have had in a long time was when this brother and I embraced and cried, he in my chest and I on his shoulder. And in fact I am crying again as I write this...

Summer Lovin'

The following is encouragement to all of us out there struggling in sin and temptation. Our brotherhood is endeavoring to gain freedom from our deepest struggles and one particular brother has issued us a great challenge. The following is my response:

Regarding the challenge Brian has issued on acountability for our brotherhood this summer. We are indeed facing much temptation, but as we all know from scripture as well as experience 

"there has no temptation taken us, but such as is common to man." 

Yeah we all face the same things, and our temptations and failures are nothing new under the sun. And thank God for his promise that 

"he is faithful and will with every temptation provide a means of escape so that we will be able to bear it."

 How many times have we seen these provisions of escape come and go, as our flesh learns to ignore the spirit and push us into sin? Too many. Embrace the spirit's provision. Every time you are about to fall into your same habitual sin, whether it be sexual or not, listen for the name of God, a scripture that comes to your heart, the vision of your mother or girlfriend being disappointed in you... Sometimes God's way of escape are more blatant, like a roommate knocking on your bedroom door to ask if he can eat your oatmeal right as you are about to give into temptation. 

Also remember, Our Lord Jesus is our high priest and we have are blessed that our advocate knows every struggle we face in a very real way. Remember Jesus was a man! Jesus never sinned, but I believe the reality of his manhood caused him "to be touched with an understanding of our infirmities" and yet "he was tempted in all points like as WE are, yet without sin"

The best [sin] council i ever got was from my Pastor who said, "just stop it! Have you ever read Romans (the same passage that Brian pointed out to us)? You DON"T have to SIN ANYMORE! So STOP!" 

What a truth! Stay encouraged men and keep fighting. As that very cliche disney movie says "we're all in this together!"

With Love as Deep (and deeper)and as salty as the Dead Sea,

Rob

Finals, Summer, Mother's Day, Lime green and Shaving Cream: nonsensical update and wisdom

My pre-finals week went something like this: 3 lengthy papers, 1 presentation, 2 tests. It was a difficult week, but I pulled through and its history. Finals week wasn't bad. I had two finals within the first two days, so despite the fact that it takes much time and preparation to fare well on most final exams, I was done on tuesday and these too are history. Now for the grades: A, A, A, etc... as expected in most classes. Then, unsuspectingly I pulled a B+ in Greek 1002 (the hardest freakin language class I have ever taken) when I was riding the C border-line all semester. I scored over 100 on the last test, and I'm assuming I made on A on the final.

So now it is summer. Incognito for a week in Suwanee was restful pushing boring. I did laundry, saw Star Trek ( probably the biggest Summer "must-see", watched many episodes of Stargate SG-1, and got gnawed on by my Mother's Westhighland Terror, uh I mean Terrier. He likes toes and wrists, demanding belly-rubs with the threat of amputation of any appendage in his range. But I diegress for the climax and the moral containing fable I am about to tell about Mother's day is what you will really get a kick out of. Mother's day is a day for honoring your Mother (in addition to every other day "and the days of your life will be long"). I have a great one. She is crazy, but has loved my siblings and myself with everything she has, so this year instead of being cheezy and making her some lame "creative" gift (this works for 5 year-olds) I decided with my sister to buy my mom something nice. We decided we would get her a colored-pearl chain necklace. Its classy and cost me a pretty penny. My sister agreed to pay half. She never did, and THEN without my presence on Mother's day morning, my sister craftily took the gift from its hiding place and presented it to my mother. Again I will say, she did this WITHOUT ME and without contributing to the gift. I was not as mad as I was upset that i didn't get to give the prized necklace to my mom.

Two quick side stories before the moral:

1) my brother bought like 10 kippas (jewish hats) and asked me if I wanted a lime green one. It was a funny moment. He is buying them to match his different outfits. I am not Jewish. He is trying to become Jewish. So I ask myself, "self, why is Chris buying so many different colored kippas to match his outfits. Does he plan on wearing one all the time now?" The answer is yet to be determined, but it made me laugh.

2) My girlfriend hated my most recent shaving cream scent. I use EGDE because it keeps my skin fresh, moist, and with minium irritation as I have sensitive skin. So we went on a little adventure to find some with a scent that she likes. The story ends with me having to scent-free shaving gel (EDGE), the only choice being ultra-sensitive oatmeal enhanced. Hmmm. I'm not sure how I feel about this. My next shave should be delicious, though mildly boring and soapy. I will compensate by wearing cologne.

The moral: get a better hiding spot for presents you don't want to be found and given away in someone else's name.