I have the day off today so I went to Starbucks to enjoy a pastry and coffee as I read and studied the Bible. It was still early, so I ordered a cream cheese danish before they were marked out. I debated my drink choice, but settled on a venti Americano. Of all the years I’ve frequented quality coffee shops, I’ve never had an Americano until lately. Now, I’m hooked.
I sat at the bar adjacent to the barista zone, internally exulting the goodness of Colossians, a cream cheese danish, and Americano. Two middle-aged ladies walked in oozing pretension. They were dressed in a manner indicating that they shopped at the good malls with the good stores in the Metroplex, not little Abilene, as if bestowing great privilege upon common folk–sort of wanna-be celebrity. They talked so as to make a show of their presence. Upon receiving their highly-customized drinks, they sat down and continued their conversation. A steady stream of other women, younger and older, came in to order drinks to go. These two women seemed to know every one of the others and engaged them in more hollow conversations. It all seemed so….well…phony. The whole scene seemed so contrived and shallow. I’ve met friends at Starbucks and never have put on the show these women did.
I was uncomfortable. But my discomfort had more to do with my own conviction. In my self-righteousness, I silently judged them as self-centered and self-indulgent. My silent self-centeredness was no better than their loud self-centeredness.
Point taken, Father.
1 Comment
April 18, 2008 at 3:58 am
This is good stuff–it’s very thought-provoking and turns my thoughts inward for some soul-searching. It steps on my toes a little….