What I Like About Starbucks

I have noticed that we live in an age of apathy. You’ve probably noticed it too if you’ve been to any fast food places lately. It seems that in recent years, customer service has taken a back seat to “just getting by” as far as the job is concerned. I have discovered that most people who work in these places couldn’t care less whether they get my order right or not. They just want to finish waiting on me so they can get on with their lives.

That’s what makes Starbucks so refreshing. Now, this is by no means an advertisement for the Starbucks chain, but I noticed this morning as I was grabbing my weekly espresso that the people there are different. They greet me with a “Good morning!” and smile as they take my order. They ask for my name to make sure my order doesn’t get mixed up with anyone else’s, and the girl this morning even asked me, “Now, is that Eric with a C or with a K?” Once she handed me my espresso, she gave me a sincere “Thank you”, and told me to have a great day (I think she meant it, too!). Now THAT’S customer service!

This experience has taught me a very valuable lesson: A little bit of nice goes a long, LONG way. My morning was going okay before I went in there, but I felt GREAT when I left, simply because someone was willing to go out of their way just to be nice to me. I don’t know if it’s an “official Starbucks employee rule” to be this polite, but that really doesn’t matter. They will get my business again because they know how to treat people. And, as a result, I will treat people with kindness today because of the way I was treated. Now, where have I heard this concept before? Oh yeah…it was from Jesus:

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”(Luke 6:31)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”(Mark 12:30-31)

As you go through your day today, whatever your circumstances, do something kind for someone. You’ll be surprised at how much better your day will be.

God Bless!

--Eric G.

I Will

Okay…since love is on everyone’s minds this week, I thought I’d share this little nugget with you, just because I love my wife more than anyone else on the planet.

I have been doing a LOT of writing lately in preparation for a new album, hopefully to be released later this year. In the process of writing lyrics, I quite often find myself writing about the love that I have for Meloney. I recently wrote the following set of lyrics for her. This song will quite possibly be on the new album, but there’s no guarantee of it, so I place them here for your enjoyment.

I Will

You asked me if I’d be with you for all time, and I said I will.
You wanted to know if I’d make you mine, and I said I will.
I would never think of passing you by
The love we have is why…

Until the stars fall out of the sky, I will love you. I will.
Until the sun refuses to shine, I will always love you.
I promise I will.

I told you there would never be anyone else. I promise, there is only you.
I told you I could never run away from your love. I love only you.
I would never think of walking away
Your love is why I say…

Until the stars fall out of the sky, I will love you. I will.
Until the sun refuses to shine, I will always love you.
I promise I will.

Today I love you more than I did yesterday
And tomorrow will be more than today.
Our love keeps growing and growing.

Until the stars fall out of the sky, I will love you. I will.
Until the sun refuses to shine, I will always love you.
I promise I will.

I promise I will.


Take the time to tell someone you love them today. It will make the day go well for both of you!

God Bless!

--Eric G.

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day. The day of love. Okay…so it’s a pagan holiday, but a holiday nonetheless. Of course, if this were a real holiday, I would be typing this post from home rather than work, but anyway…

I have never really been a huge fan of Valentine’s Day, but I do appreciate the idea. I mean, it is pretty important to set aside a time for you to express your feelings for the one you love the most. My question is: Why wait until February 14th to express how you feel?

Living in a house full of females, I have discovered the joy of expressing my love all year round. I am so proud to have not just one, but three valentines in my life!

So…I’m not a huge fan of the holiday. I’m not fond of rushing out, amidst the traffic and crowds, to find that perfect gift for my wife or my daughters. However, I am a huge fan of giving thanks for the family that God has given me, and that is what makes this day worthwhile.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you, and may God bless you and the one you love the most!

--Eric G.