Why I Can Drink Starbucks and Black Rifle Coffee
From my vantage point in the heart of the Missouri Ozark’s is that all the rage these days is to organize and seek to enlist as many people as possible to boycott a company. While I fully support a persons decision to do so, the flurry of boycotts being shared on social media sites has my head spinning. It prompted me to post recently that “If one where to boycott everything that one was being asked to boycott that we would all find ourselves sitting in the middle of the road with nothing on other than a bathrobe. And then pray that we don't have to boycott bathrobes!”
Recently one such boycott was initiated when Starbucks announced that it would hire 10,000 Syrian refugees. In response Black Rife Coffee Company said that they would hire 10,000 veterans. I am all in for our veterans and service members who give us the freedoms we enjoy and a big part of that commitment is that I have some skin in the game. Plus I'm writing today in my Army t-shirt. Yet I have no problem enjoying both coffee’s.
I believe that Jesus calls me to build relationships with those I come in contact with. In my recent experience’s I have had weekly coffee time at a Starbucks where people would come and go, I even got to hear about the lives of the barista’s. However, I realized that I was not there for my Venti Pike. Many times I would overhear conversations or see worry on faces when the Holy Spirit would say, “Go speak a word to them” that word varied from “You are not alone God is with you” to “You have been prayed for.” Another reality for me is if a grand-kid wants a plain bagel with butter from Starbucks the chance is 100% its happening. If God can use me to speak a word to people while sipping coffee then so be it.
I can also grind and brew me up some Black Rifle Coffee because of relationships. I have learned over the years that my appreciation for veterans and service men and women has changed. It changes dramatically when your own kids are serving your country. When they are in harms way, and when they come home homeless. I will drink my Black Rifle Coffee because of my relationship with them and the others that I know, who have serve these United States. But when that child comes home and asks for a Decaf Venti Carmel Latte’ the chance is 100% that it is happening and I’ll be drinking my Venti Pike with them.
If a cause leads you to not support a product or company great. I support your decision. However, be open to the urgings of the Holy Spirit to engage in relationships. May God use you to speak a word of encouragement into someones life.
PS: I have Folger’s in the pantry at home too.
