Back to the Grind

The term "Back to the Grind" has an all new meaning this year. I've made the switch from the mostly-bored shoulder-surgery, and coach-with-one-arm-for-a-living fall to a new year that currently involves 16 or 17 hour workdays in three different jobs. I still coach, but now with two arms. But I decided to add not only a long-term-substitute job on, but I've recently become a Starbucks barista.
I know, I've joined the monster corporation that is taking over the world, but I needed health insurance and they have great benefits even for part-time employees (or as Starbucks calls us "partners"). So, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right?
It has been really nice to show up to work and to just make something I love (namely coffee) to give to other people. The best part is, there's not much to screw up. I mean, it's just coffee. It's not grades, or soccer careers, or college scholarships, or life-altering injuries. It is just coffee. If someone doesn't like it, I just make them another one, and they're out the door and on their way.
Sometimes, I want to tell the other bustling Southern Californians that "it's just coffee" when they get unbelievably upset that their "Venti, decaf skinny vannilla latte, extra hot with no foam" has a tiny bit of foam that squeaked into the cup during my rookie-style, not-entirely-perfect pour of their nonfat 180 degree milk. It's funny how upset people get about coffee. I guess people like things the way they like them.

It has got me thinking about what God has been talking with me about lately. I have been thinking and praying a lot about the idea of comfort and how it is often tied to compromise. I am so frequently in pursuit of my own comfort, even at the expense of others. But the thing about being a Christian is that comfort has to be nothing more than a bonus. When we are freed from slavery from sin, we sometimes stop thinking about it there, forgetting that we are freed from sin, in order to be freed to be bondservants of Christ. The standard for slaves is sacrifice, not really comfort.
When I cling too tightly to my own comforts, I end up compromising. I compromise time with God in the morning for sleep. I compromise time helping a friend who is discouraged for just going home and relaxing on my couch. I compromise the chance to show a high school girl I care by going to some goofy team event because I want to be comfortable. I want my comfortable saturday doing what I want to do.
Comfort is wonderful, but from now on it must be a bonus. And bonuses are something that make you excited. I guess, my little coffee job has showed me more than how to make a Venti-decaf-extra-hot-vanilla-latte.

It's just coffee. It's just comfort.
therre are more important things in life. He is worth every ounce of sacrifice.
there will be a day for endless comfort