Starbucks recovery
Nov 14
Many of you know that I am in recovery from Starbucks coffee. A few months ago, I felt deeply convicted about the amount of money I spent at Starbucks. Desiring to reconstruct a budgeting lifestyle, reduce spending and be accountable to what I would be teaching our CATGrovers in the near future, I decided to go cold turkey from Starbucks. Besides getting the shakes when I drive by a Starbucks and the occasional withdrawals, it hasn’t been extremely difficult.
Let me make this clear. I have committed NOT TO SPEND MONEY AT STARBUCKS! It doesn’t mean that I can’t or won’t drink coffee from Starbucks via a gift-card or or someone else buying. (Call, email, or comment for address) You are thinking, “I can’t believe he is that bold to ask for a Starbucks gift card!” Give me a break! Its not like it is a MARBLE TOILET or anything!
I had a dilemma a couple of days ago when my friend Chris DiPascal emailed me about making a Starbucks run one afternoon this week to catch up and hang out. Could I make it emotionally and physically by just having a regular cup of coffee and not ordering a Grande Caramel Machiatto in a Venti Cup with extra Whip? If I bought a regular cup of coffee at the invitation of someone else, did it count against my commitment? I had so many questions!
I walked into Starbucks trying to contain my emotions and Chris had already arrived, bought a drink, and sat down. I was relieved! There was a long line so rather than standing in line I sat down and began talking with Chris. A few minutes later another friend, Roland walked in and we began to talk. He asked why I wasn’t drinking coffee and I briefly explained the commitment I made a couple of months ago. Roland went to stand in line to place his order and came by with a VENTI COFFEE FOR ME! Roland bought me a coffee!
I know, I know, I know! You are thinking this is silly. First of all, you haven’t walked in my shoes, secondly, I know this is silly.
Here is the point, however crazy you may think it is. If we are faithful with our finances and our commitment to follow Jesus in every area of our life, God will confirm to us that He is in control, even if it seems overly silly at the moment.
Hey Russ…great story. I’m not sending you a Starbuck’s card just yet..you have to come up with a more creative way of begging..like make it the header of your blog or something. I am excited that you are that committed to setting an example with your finances for the folks at CATGrove. Take care!
Hey man I really enjoyed it! I’d say let’s do it again, but I don’t want you to “fall off of the wagon”! HA!HA!
How can you sleep at night knowing you would have spent the $5 yourself a few months ago, much less that someone felt so sorry for you that they caved and bought you a fix?
One day you will learn that the $1.19 24 oz. Columbian QT Coffee is really the balm and you can get about 4 for the price of 1.
Oh yeah and some day I hope to make it as the star of the minute in bloggy world – First Chad and now Chris, there has to be some trick to it…..
Hey Russ, Try 100 % Columbian Decaf at Walmart and you will be hooked. Then you can carry a thermos when you meet friends at Starbucks. Lynn
It was a pleasure to give back a little something to you as you give us sooo much and you never complain, you just give. Starbucks is also a great place to share the word with others. Levi, the order taker is an intercessor with us on monday nights so ya’ll are in good hands there.