The word "mission" can mean so many different things to each of us. This definition particularly resonated with me: "Mission - an important goal or purpose that is accompanied by strong conviction; a calling or vocation". I absolutely love this!
As I dove into my career with Starbucks, I quickly uncovered that it was my mission field. Not only could I live out my passion for people and coffee, I could make an impact on top of that. Starbucks empowered me as a manager to do this by "owning" my store. Financially I didn't "own" my store, but I owned it through the passion and time I poured into it. It wasn't just the four walls but also the people that breathed life into its daily operations. This breath of life made it so easy to do my job because it allowed my heart and passion to work in symphony. Which is how I found myself in the middle of my mission field.
The people who walked through the doors as "partners" (Starbucks' word for employee) or customers were part of this bigger picture. Although each had a different life experience, together, like a mosaic, they created a masterpiece. Full of texture, color and life. Reflecting on those I met on this journey, I am blessed because of them. Some of them, whether customer or fellow partners, marked my heart forever.
Through these mosaic moments of working in the mission field, I hope my legacy lives on. In this next chapter I plan to create a new mission field where once again I can bear fruit which is helpful to others.
Do you have a mission field? If so, what does it look like? I'd love to hear. If you don't and need inspiration to find it, I'd love to help.
Until then, sow on...
As I dove into my career with Starbucks, I quickly uncovered that it was my mission field. Not only could I live out my passion for people and coffee, I could make an impact on top of that. Starbucks empowered me as a manager to do this by "owning" my store. Financially I didn't "own" my store, but I owned it through the passion and time I poured into it. It wasn't just the four walls but also the people that breathed life into its daily operations. This breath of life made it so easy to do my job because it allowed my heart and passion to work in symphony. Which is how I found myself in the middle of my mission field.
The people who walked through the doors as "partners" (Starbucks' word for employee) or customers were part of this bigger picture. Although each had a different life experience, together, like a mosaic, they created a masterpiece. Full of texture, color and life. Reflecting on those I met on this journey, I am blessed because of them. Some of them, whether customer or fellow partners, marked my heart forever.
Through these mosaic moments of working in the mission field, I hope my legacy lives on. In this next chapter I plan to create a new mission field where once again I can bear fruit which is helpful to others.
Do you have a mission field? If so, what does it look like? I'd love to hear. If you don't and need inspiration to find it, I'd love to help.
Until then, sow on...
Great picture of "mosaic moments", I like that image of seeing those around us as people who put together make a new, more striking picture of who we work with and for.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful mosaic created by God! Thankful you're part of my mosaic. You instilled that "mission field" thought in my head while I was at Starbucks and I tried to treat event the grumpiest curmudgeon with respect, smile and a dash of positivity. You never know what someone is going through inwardly. I view my mission field as my kids and the kids I serve through my vocation. Giving some students the encouragement to pursue a college education when they're not sure that's possible and supporting them through my prayers, encouraging notes and counsel.
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