Jeremy and David before a coffee cupping!
Today the inevitable happened. We walked into our favorite Starbucks and Jeremy wasn’t there. He’s been there, in one way or another, for the last year and a half. But today was the first day our little band of coffee lovers had to realize Jeremy really is moving. Or trying to, as he and Maria are in the throes of packing madness. After commiserating and chatting for awhile, I grew philosophical as I realized all that Jeremy has taught us over the past year. And taught you, too, since most of the time what I learn sitting on my seat at the bar gets written in the electronic pages of Coffee Shop Journal.
Thank you, Jeremy, for teaching us…
- Have passion. I don’t know anyone as passionate as Jeremy is. But he isn’t passionate about everything, just the things that really matter to him: Jesus, Maria (his wife!), coffee and people. I will never forget the night Jeremy and Maria came over to the house to eat shortly following the last Starbucks convention in New Orleans. He reminded me of a teenager hopped up on sugar, he was so high with the outreach, learning and fellowship. In those days, or any days, you couldn’t meet Jeremy without knowing his passion.
- Coffee is complex. After hanging with Jeremy this year, I’ve realized that coffee deserves a capital C: Coffee. It is complex, filled with social justice issues. It brings people together and divides us into drinkers and non-drinkers. There are flavors for everyone, brewing methods galore, pairings and even a few disasters. Surely that’s the mark of a special person, if they can enlarge your view of the world just by being part of it.
- People come first. Over and over I’ve seen how Jeremy treated his staff, his customers and especially his family. Even the coffee takes a back seat to the relationships.
- Leadership is a byproduct. Jeremy illustrates this principle so clearly. He is a leader, but his leadership is a byproduct of his life and relationship. His staff is anxious to make his life easier, to do what he needs, to grow and make the store prosper. But they do it because they know Jeremy wants to do all those things for them, too. It is a relationship.
- Kingdom comes first. Jeremy is moving because Maria got a job working in the church they feel most connected to, in Tampa. She’s going to be guiding and pouring into countless children’s lives as a result of her opportunity. In spite of having just gotten settled, even though Jeremy liked his job here, the kingdom comes first. They move. Great example.
- Life consists of details. Over the years I have noticed that in the service industry, it is the manager who notices the details who does the best job. Jeremy is skilled at noticing and accomplishing the details. Scheduled lobby clean ups (often skipped by sloppy managers at other stores) are always done in his store. The cream is filled. The staff follows the recipes. It works. I’ve been inspired to work on the details of my life many times, just from watching his gang hit the mark over and over.
That’s probably enough. If Jeremy reads this, knowing him, he’s going to be embarassed. But sometimes we wait until someone leaves our life before we reveal how they impacted our thinking. Once in awhile I believe it’s good to encourage each other, to see the purpose in a friendship and a season of life. Jeremy and Maria have been a relatively short season of time in my life, but the Kingdom has been at the center of our relationship. I believe there has been — and will be — a purpose in our shared time in the coffee shop. And maybe that’s why I keep coming back to write about community and companionship in the third places of life, in the coffee shops and bookstores and malls and restaurants. There is a purpose greater than we can imagine, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.
Safe travels and God’s blessings on you and Maria, Jeremy. May he guide you to the next phase of your unique ministry, giving you enough glimpses of the purpose along the way to keep you energized, but hiding enough surprises to delight you each morning with unimagined life. David and I pray blessings over you and Maria and your family — present and future — knowing that He has a great plan for you. Find the people in Tampa who are waiting for the knowledge that people like you exist. Keep inspirng, keep leading, keep dropping on your face before the King. And next time we see you we’ll sit down over a French Press of some good African coffee and marvel over the twists and turns.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Well done, well said and thanks for sharing this special friendship with all of us… hugs a
Yes, well, worse than your experience, far, far worse, indeed, is the fact that 17 Starbucks have been closed here in Las Vegas. SEVENTEEN!!! Two of them favorites of mine. Not just losing a barista/baristo, but the entire, flippin’ store!!! I’m a bit unhinged over the loss and fear it will take quite some time to recover. That said, I’m genuinely sorry for your loss.
rg
We have lost several, but no where near the horrifying 17 you have to deal with! One of our Starbucks was literally the anchor of an ill-planned, poorly designed outdoor mall. I now wonder if the center will survive.
Nice tribute to someone who made a difference in your life!
BTW, you reviewed John Maxwell’s “Put Your Dream to the Test” a while back. I am reading that (and listening to it on audio) and loving it . . . perfect for where i am in life right now. Thanks for the great recommendation!
blessings!
Marla, I’ll be enjoying some VIA today…thinking of you and David. Thank you for your enduring friendship, your endless encouragement and your vision-casting prayers.