Starbucks is taking over the planet. We serve it with our Character Lunches here in the Character Inn. Last week I was in the Meijer Department store on 28th Street in Grand Rapids. They have a Starbucks in the front of the store.
Since I would be driving back to Flint in the night I decided I would pick up a big black coffee for the road. The young lady working the stand was wearing a cast on her arm. When people are wearing a cast you know they have told the story dozens of times.
I said, “Wait, don’t tell me. Let me tell you what happened to your arm. “Five handsome young men took you to Breckenridge, Colorado on a skiing adventure to lavish favors and attention on you and to complete for your hand in marriage and while you were there you fell and broke your wrist.”
She laughed and said, “I wish. Fact is I was in an accident. They say I should have been killed.”
?Oh, no,” I said, “You should thank God he spared you. That kinda’ makes you think, doesn’t it, coming that close to death. God must have wanted you alive for a reason. Have you thought about that?”
“Yes, some.”
“Do you go to church?”
“No, I’m kinda new here and I don’t have many friends, but I’ve been thinking about it.”
“You ought to visit Ada Bible Church,” I said, “I heard their pastor preach one time. He is a neat guy. He is real interesting to listen to. He tells stories when he preaches.
One time I heard him preach a message with a big clay pot in his hand the whole time. During the message he smashed the pot on the floor. You knew he was going to do something so it made you really pay attention. I think you would like him. You ought to go hear him someday.”
“Maybe I will,” she said.
“I hope you do.”
I tried to give her a tip but she refused. She said it is against company policy. I thanked her and wish her well.
As I walked away I had a glad feeling in my heart that my little banter with the girl at the Starbucks stand might be used for good. I hoped what I said would make her think and help her discover the lovliness of Christ. I liked her right away and I want her to be happy forever and it’s impossible to be happy forever without Jesus.
I think that is way it works, you go though life happy and aware of what is going on around you. You keep in close touch with Jesus and what he might be doing and just nudge people closer to Jesus by loving acts and kind words. It is especially helpful to like people and be friendly to them.
It’s just show and tell. You show them you like them and tell them of Jesus. I just believe if I go through life that way I will help some people find out what it means to be happy forever.
And if you like people and you want them to be happy forever you just have to do something to nudge them toward Jesus.
Ken Pierpont
Riverfront Character Inn
Flint, Michigan
January 24, 2005