I have a favorite Starbucks in Brea, CA, where I am today. Oh, let's face it: I have a favorite Starbucks in every city I have traveled to. Even in Denver, where I live, but rarely am. The one I visited today has several men that "hang out" in the mornings and have been there when I have visited this week. In prior weeks, there were different men hanging out there. Variety is the spice of life, right?
I think these men are homeless, but I don't want to assume. I mean, they look the part, but don't hold up signs or anything. Maybe that is how I can know they truly are. No signs in sight. Yesterday I noticed two men; one was in a motorized wheelchair and the other was sitting close to the door. He seemed joyful. He had three large black plastic bags at his feet. I almost asked him if he needed anything but didn't because I didn't want to insult him if he wasn't homeless. Plus, I am not in the habit of walking up to random homeless people and engaging them in conversation.
Until today.
I saw both men as I walked across the parking lot. I was in a hurry, like most mornings, striving to get five more minutes of sleep, then rushing to make my 7 am virtual meeting. But today a voice inside said, "Stop. Slow down. Talk to him." So, I did. This was not an easy or comfortable thing to do, but the valuable things rarely are. I am trying to be fully present and fully available, so I took the plunge.
He looked at me first which made things easier. "Would you like something to eat? I asked.
He replied with a smile, "No, I usually fast in the morning."
I didn't expect THAT answer. He went on to say some other things, but I was already halfway in the door at that point. Again, rushing.
I picked up a bottled water, a chocolate bar and a granola bar. I was either going to save them for later or take them home so my husband could enjoy them. There is only so much food I can eat in a day.
After I received my drink and paid for my goodies, I had the employee put my loot in a bag. I thought to myself, that man outside needs this more than I do, so I took the bag outside to him.
He smiled and said, "What did you get me?" I had to laugh about that later, while I was safely in my car. What a unique question.
"Well," I said, "I was going to get you eggs, but you said you fast in the morning. So, I got you a water, some chocolate and a granola bar."
I placed the bag, awkwardly, next to him. He picked it up, eagerly looking inside like he was a child on Christmas morning, waiting to open gifts.
He then responded, "Oh, yeah, if I had eggs, I would be in the bathroom all day," as he pointed to the nearby Corner Bakery. He then apologized for being crude. I had to laugh about that later, too. He was kind and was afraid of offending me. How interesting that was to me. If you only knew how crass some people can be, I thought to myself.
He then thanked me, and I told him he was welcome. I walked away but I wanted to linger. I wanted to find out more about this man who sat outside of Starbucks, not begging for money. What was his story? Why was he here? I wanted to tell him that Jesus loves him, but I thought that would sound insincere and he might just seriously doubt that, given the circumstances he found himself in.
When I returned to my car, I thought of how blessed I am, that I can buy what I want, when I want. I can eat without even thinking about it. But how different his life is from mine. It caused me to pause, it caused me to thank God for all I have. There but for the grace go I, right?
I am not sharing this to toot my own horn. Believe me, often, I would just walk right on by someone like this. Too much trouble, discomfort, inconvenience. I, after all, am a very busy person. I need to get to work and be productive. I am important. These are things that I think most of the time.
The truth is, I am not nearly as important as I think I am. I can be replaced at work and most anywhere else. But what I am is trying to be present, trying to see the needs around me. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in great ways." That's all I am trying to do. That's all any of us can do, really.
Today I am grateful. Grateful to wake up in sunny California, grateful for a job, and grateful I get to go to Starbucks. More than anything, I am grateful I had the chance to help someone else. And that I acted on it.
I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.