Jennifer's Coffee Shop

Working on my writing at a new coffee shop today.  I walked up to the hipster barista with a blond messy pony tail and thick rimmed glasses.   She  reminded me of an owl.  She didn't smile but owls normally don't do that.  "What can I get ya?" 
"I'll have a non-fat hazelnut latte with one shot."  
"We don't have non fat milk...only soy and whole.  We don't have hazelnut syrup, only vanilla and simple syrup because everything is made in house.  We can't parcel up the shots.  There are two shots in every latte."  
I replied, "Can't you just empty a shot in the sink.  I will pay for it.  Oh, and do you have almond milk?"  
The owl repeated herself matter-of-factly (and without attitude), "We have soy and whole milk. Our owner wants to protect flavor combinations so we put two shots in each."  
Well, my-my, this isn't Burger King and you can't have it your way (We all know that's a lie anyway) 

Dang.  The hipster owl wasn't bending for me.  How can I write without my special-just for me-latte?  I decided to stay anyway  You know what. It was delicious. I tried what the owner was serving and I liked it.

At starbucks, I've got hundreds of choices and combinations but I had very few here. Yet, this coffee shop is thriving. It's a little noisy and busy for my taste. The owner doesn't cater to his customers. He presents himself and his creations. Either you like them or you don't. Either you adjust to what he has to offer or you go somewhere else. He won't change to suit you or me or anyone.  

I feel that way about what I write.  Don't like it, don't read it but save your judgments for yourself or write what you believe in your own platform. When I post something on Facebook and people disagree with me I wonder why they don't choose to do that on their own page instead of inserting their sarcastic laced latte's on my FB coffee shop?  It's like they just came into my living room and hiked a leg on my couch to mark their territory.  Mark your own FB page.

I'm learning that I don't have to change to please other people. They can love me or stay in their own coffee shop.  It's their choice. I still want to entertain a variety of customers like Starbucks because I believe that is my flavor. I've been through the grinder of hell and I want to show others the way those grounds can be made into a fresh and new cup of peace, dignity, and honor...oh and most importantly I want them to taste and enjoy the One who permeates my flavor-The One who created me. It's a journey. I have to be willing to enjoy their special flavor, as bitter as it may be, like someone did for me... I know the customers God sends to my shop are eclectic and how much I needed a shot of compassion and love before I could show the extra dark roast within me. I listen to them, I taste...I don't go force feeding others with my special brand of truth. I respect and honor their choices or flavor-I show them dignity. Yet, I'm not willing to drink of all they have to offer nor do I expect them to partake of mine.  I smell theirs and decide if it's right for me staying true to my Maker. I want to be treated with dignity and honor too.  I have allowed people to dump their cup into mine and the mixture was not palatable. Grace can't be at the expense of what I know for me to be true or at the expense of being and expressing me.  I can't mix with their flavor but I can taste of it and if my Maker tells me to I can help drink of their bitter cup.


I allow myself to be stretched like gumby sometimes... a porcelain cup doesn't have much give.  I've allowed other people to change me until i don't recognize myself.  I wind up in a puddle on the floor and feel like a broken cup that can't be put back together.   Others want to get rid of their trash by putting it into my clean and unique cup.  Sorry but the trash can is over there.  Get rid of that or keep it in your own cup. 

I'm opening my own Jennifer's Coffee Shop. I'm willing to be flexible and respect that you have your own coffee shop and items on the menu but I won't change what I'm serving. I serve dignity and honor. Come visit. If you don't serve at least those two items then I won't be back to visit yours.