Hi everyone, it’s Brittany again! This is a follow-up post to “Bestie Sleepover” where I mentioned I had more to say about some of my interactions on Sunday. First a quick recap, if you recall from my previous post, during my stay with Amanda, I headed out to pick up our liquid breakfast at StarB’s Sunday morning. I had plans to introduce myself to Dennis the Security Guard as “Baby Bark’s Substitute” for the day. On the way there I prayed a prayer I’ve been praying every morning for the last few months – that the Holy Spirit would be with me, that my eyes, ears, and heart would be open to be present and available to be used by God if so needed.
As I approached Starbucks that Sunday morning, Dennis was on duty. I introduced myself as planned and explained that Barkley was too tall for the tiny recliner and was off for the night getting a good night’s rest. Dennis was glad to hear it and said he was praying for his man Barkley. Dennis hung around for a moment while I grabbed the coffee off the pick-up counter and shared with me that he has a childhood friend named Barkley (whom he calls Bark), and that seeing Barkley brings him back to those good memories.
Remember that prayer I prayed? This is where it makes a difference for me. Introverted me would give a quick “Hello, how are you?” and a polite smile to a security guard, grab my coffee, and hustle back out the door to Amanda. I believe the Holy Spirit slows me down to step outside my comfort zone and truly connect with others. It also encouraged a quiet thought in the middle of my exchange with Dennis… I thought to myself, “That’s so awesome that Dennis is praying for Barkley. I wonder what Dennis needs prayer for?”
After grabbing my coffee order, I navigated back towards the door and Dennis opened it for me and we stepped back outside. I inquired if Dennis was still in touch with his old friend Barkley and his answer was, “Yes! Going on 30 years.” Standing outside I continued to chat with Dennis for a few moments. I tried to encourage him and acknowledge what a difference he makes in other people’s lives through his kind interactions with everyone. I reminded Dennis just how many people walking through the doors of that particular Starbucks (in the medical center) were likely struggling with something really hard, and that Dennis was sharing God’s love with them and becoming a bright spot in their day.
Can we just stop here for a moment and appreciate how BIG of a deal that is? How truly impactful Dennis is being with simple acts of kindness! He is truly shining God’s light into people’s darkest days. He’s also honoring the greatest commandment.
Mark 12: 28-29 (NIV) reads: (28) One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (29) “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (30) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (31) The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Dennis acknowledged his role in brightening people’s days and said he was trying his best to bring some cheer to others. He joked that some people even ask to have their photo taken with him. Dennis is a celebrity y’all! Maybe not to this world’s standards – but he’s a celebrity of God’s kingdom and I’m not surprised people want to remember Dennis and his smile. It was around this point that I asked Dennis, “Is there something I can be praying for you for?” I think I caught Dennis off guard, but he quickly replied, “Success and Family.” I didn’t ask for specifics. I think I offered a final word of encouragement and Dennis and I parted ways.
Later that night and early the next morning, as I was praying and advocating for Dennis, I asked that God guide Dennis and meet his needs relating to family and success. I also asked God to show Dennis just how awesome he is and to send Dennis some extra love and encouragement, and to also help Dennis define success and family not by Dennis’ expectations, but by God’s expectations. That last little nugget came from a podcast I listened to on the drive home from Houston, I’ll link it below.
As I prayed, my mind wandered to the definition of success. I wondered what Dennis would define as success… If he’s praying for success, maybe Dennis feels he’s falling short by worldly standards? And yet from where I was standing, with the Holy Spirit on board, Dennis is a GREAT success! Not only is he fulfilling the duties of his job as Security Guard, Dennis is also knocking it out of the park when it comes to his Kingdom of God duties by being the bright spot in people’s days and loving his neighbors. But it’s all perspective right? When we define success by worldly terms, the world may see a simple job with not enough pay. Yet Dennis is irreplaceable! As a former Corporate Recruiter, I feel sorry for Starbucks the day Dennis resigns from his post. He goes above and beyond, and his replacement will likely not even begin to fill his shoes!
As I pondered on these things, I remembered that in Pastor YJ’s sermon from Sunday (linked below and highly recommend you watch), Pastor YJ shared a story about a man, who in his 70’s, was falsely accused of a crime, convicted of the crime, and sent to jail. In jail, the man made a choice not to continue to fight for his innocence as he didn’t want to use up all his money and leave his wife without anything. So, the man embraced the place that God had led him to at the end of his life and he began sharing God’s word in prison. The incarcerated man held bible studies, witnessed to others, and brought prisoners to salvation. WOW! Once again… success defined by the world versus success defined by God. I can’t help but admire this man’s courage and be inspired by his heavenly perspective.
1 John 2:15-17 (NIV) reads: (15) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. (16) For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (17) The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge Barkley and Amanda, as we are all gathered here online to witness their journey. And what a journey it has been! They also endure through the dark places, keeping their eyes on God, sharing their story, and teaching us all lessons about walking with God no matter where life leads you. It would have been so easy for bitterness, resentment, and fear to take over their lives – yet because their eyes are focused on God, they walk with a heavenly perspective. They have a heavenly definition of success, and they share it with others. I’m so excited to see this platform grow and continue to make positive impacts on the lives of others. I look up to Amanda – if she can endure so much and still have her eyes on God, and still have the grace and strength to move forward, so can I – no matter what comes my way.
Please take a moment to pray for heavenly perspective. Pray for Dennis – that God would send him encouragement and meet his needs, and that Dennis would know his value in the Kingdom of God and seek answers to his prayers for Success and Family that meet God’s expectations (not the world’s). Please continue to prayer for Barkley and Amanda, that they would be sustained by God’s love, peace, and supernatural strength as they navigate the days to come. Thank you!
Pastor YJ’s Sermon (First Baptist Church Brackettville): https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1K6wMA9ufz/?mibextid=wwXIfr
The Leader’s Cut w/ Preston Morrison, “Why Your Expectations Are Hurting You”: https://youtu.be/_jt6aJg0o9g?feature=shared
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