The Beard
I like the table next to the wall of windows on the east side of my neighborhood Starbucks.
The big table. The one with the little blue handicap sticker on the bottom right corner.
I’ve never seen a brother in a wheelchair in there but the second I do, I’ll give him my seat.
‘Cause it is the most brilliant seat in the cafe.
Close enough to the door to catch a glimpse of everyone entering and far enough from the noise of the espresso machine.
When a storm rolls in you feel like it is going to swallow you whole as the windows are thin enough to feel their vibrations as the water hits the glass.
Sometimes I go in just to watch a storm roll by.
I also like that I can watch the baristas do their thing.
“Hey! Welcome to Starbucks!”
Every freaking time. Like clockwork.
And it’s not only the ambiance of this corporate facade of a local grind that captures me.
It’s also Adam.
Adam is a barista in his early thirties with a beard that would make Kimbo cry mercy.
This thing is on. Maybe a foot long. Manly. I’m sure smelly. It just plain dominates.
Adam’s face is dominated by that beard. It is him. He is it. I only know Adams forehead, cheeks, nose and eyes. The rest of his face is beard.
So needless to say when I walked in tonight to grab my venti skinny hazlenut latte (I know, not really a manly drink), I did a triple take when I saw Adam.
Without his beard.
Dude. It was freaky. I smiled, gave some really horrible word of affirmation, and walked quickly to my seat.
Adam chuckled his 6′3″ chuckle and said…”Different huh?”
I was like…”Woah. Dude. Why? I mean, cool. But wow.”
By this point Adam knew I was officially out of words and one more “dude” would have Keanued me.
“I had that beard for 12 years. Not many people have seen me without it. My wife has never seen me without it. My 2 kids have never seen me without it. I just thought it was time for a change.”
“You ain’t lying dude”, I said. Once again resorting to my Southern California safety net of a 4th grade noun.
“What about your kids? Did they freak?”
“You know Carlos, I thought really long and hard about that. I mean they are 4 and 6. They have only known their father with a beard yet that is only one way of looking at me. I am still me without my beard. They have just never experienced me this way. So you know what I did? I had them shave my beard off for me. Never looking away from me. That way they could see that my eyes were still my eyes and I am still their dad. About half way through my oldest got a bit bored and wanted to go finish his movie. I didn’t let him. I told him he had to finish. By the time they were finished, well, they never flinched. It was as if they had always seen me this way.”
When he got done I think my mouth was 1/4 the way open and my lips were dry from being entranced. I quickly snapped out of it and told him something about how much younger he looks and how I wish I could grow a beard like his but the bald spot on my middle left cheek would do me in.
I was mumbling words but all I could think about was the amazing word picture he just painted me of my relationship with my Savior King.
How when I look away from him in times of chaos, then look back up and the sun is hitting Him from a different direction, I freak and think he’s changed. I doubt. I run. I fear. I’m confused. All the while He is telling me, “Carlos, it’s Me. Don’t look away son. Stare at Me through this crap in your life and you will see My never endings. I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. I may look different because of the way I am painted by sermon series, worship songs, Bible translations, and consumer Christianity. But I promise you son. Stare into My eyes and know I hold you and will never leave you and never change.”
All that went rushing through my head in a matter of seconds.
“Carlos? Los?”, Adam brought me back into ventiland.
“Oh. Yea. Man. Dude. Wow. Yea. That’s rad. I like it Adam. And I’m glad you had your kids see that through with you. You’re a smart man”
Just then what seemed like 13 Jr. High cheerleaders came in and all ordered 12 dollar drinks while talking on their cell phones.
Adam just smiled and served them graciously.
I got up and left as soon as I could before this guy could represent Jesus to me 3 times in one night. 2 was all I could take.
On the way home I glanced in my rear view mirror. My beard is so poser. So loser. So metrosexual. But don’t think I’m not going to have my kids shave that bad boy off before the end of the week.
Wow, great story – thanks for sharing.
Thanks Steve.
Los great post.
I remember when I was a teenager my dad shaved his beard for the first time in a long time. It was weird.
I’m glad he rocked the beard though for most of my life though. Now I can always say to my wife that “beard” is all I know, how could I not have one!
Beautiful picture of Jesus in this post tonight! Tell H thanks for pushing you!
She says you're welcome. I wish I could type with more than 3 fingers though.
LOL
Awesome!
Gratsi.
Wow!
I could never grow a beard. Ginger beard with brown (or grey) hair = fail. Esp if you're metro.
I thank God for the fact He never changes. I, on the other hand, want to keep on changing, but only if it's more like Him, and less like…other stuff.
Never does he change.
i love the remarkably creative ways that our infinitely creative GOD chooses to reveal Himself to us. *i think sometimes we (especially me) are so dense/stubborn that He has to get REALLY creative!
For real. Like using my formerly Jewish barista
dude, i saw him the morning of catalyst one day in february. anne, pete and i stopped at that starbucks on the way out to alpharetta. of course, i remember because i made a double-take at the gloriousness that was his beard. amazing story and amazing connection to how we see our Father. in this season of my life (depression, etc.), God looks so different to me–things are hard and i wanna run and figure it out on my own. but what i realize is how He's been evolving (in my eyes) for a long time. from a God who i couldn't quite trust because of my issues with authority to a God i never wanted to be without. and how quickly i turn back into that insecure (tough on the outside, weak on the inside) girl when things get hard. But He is who He has always been… ever-present… omnipresent….omnipotent…mine.
And in your journey, your authenticity saves many people countless conversations to figure out what is up. Keep growing girl.
That is the best post i have read in a long time. Thanks for sharing the powerful stuff!
Dude. It was great seeing you at Cat West. Let's hang again.
Los
Great to finally meet up! Next time you're by LA or I'm close to ATL, we'll do it again.
Beautiful! I really needed that right now! Thanks.
Tony. Thanks man. And congrats on the VAN!!! God is good…ALL the time.
Thanks for the congrats man!! God is amazing! He is so faithful, even though we are so undeserving!
Great story, los. thank you so much. I'm awed by this image of a strong, loving 'father'. and completely laughing at your perfect description of the frenzied '13 jr high cheeleaders'….
Insightful take on a situation that most people would just pass on by thinking, hey, I can't believe he shaved that beard. Thanks for drawing the parallel…great image which makes the point stick.
Thanks pendy. Dont think Ive seen you round here. or at least commenting. Thanks!!!
I'm definitely a follower…have had you and your wife on my blog roll since finding her on Sixth Year Med. Just changed my user name from pcb to my real name. I'm a grandmother who attends a traditional service but am very taken with your energy and insights, your parenting, and I'm a Compassion sponsor. Plus, I get a kick out of your Panamanian (that looks weird) heritage as I lived in the Canal Zone as a child.
This is probably the most profound thing I will ever read about facial hair. But seriously, that is an incredible analogy, thank you so much for posting it!
HA!!! And if you become a librarian, like your profile says, I will love you forever. You would be my first librarian friend.
lol, I start grad school in September, consider it (almost) done! =)
Brilliant. I love this…so much. What a beautiful picture!
Thanks chica. And did your mom get mad about your nose?
Haha! Nope…turns out she knows I'm 27, after all. I swear, I don't think I'll ever *not* care so much…
That's an epic thought Los. Thanks
de nada
wow. i don't know what to say, but, dude…
thanks for that.
yup. all out of a beard huh?
Love this! I can't say I would've ever drawn the Jesus parallel but that's powerful! Thanks for being an example of being so in tune with God that you hear Him speak in the everyday situations of life.
Hes in the small things
Dang dude…that's insane! Feel like I just had a Holy Spirit smack down. I'm so guilty of trying to look away and do my own thing – especially right now in my life being unemployed and unsure of direction. You're right…God doesn't change. Just need to get that in my cranium and not look away from His beauty.
Thanks for sharing!
yw!
I've missed posts like these. Thanks los.
Los, please know that you help to put Jesus on my lips. This post was simple, beautiful, and makes me smile the wonkiest smile. I love you, dude. Be affirmed that your work and life bear fruit–as I link you to friends and family, I link them to one more channel that arrives at Jesus.
thanks man
You tell a great story. He gives you great material.
Los,
Thanks for sharing the story. What a great picture of the Father's Love for us.
Colt
I didnt think I could either.
Job with or jobless. you are correct.
Me too.
Amen. Thank you.
Rad name man. Thanks
He does. All the time.
Awesome story!
Great analogy. In my life right now I am completely experiencing this. God's promises have always been the same, but since losing Mark, they appear differently. But how comforting to think of staring into His eyes/promises and knowing they aren't changing, just how I see them.
So encouraging.
Angie. I found some pics of all 4 of us on my computer last night. We were trying out that Photobooth application that makes our heads all stretchy and wierd. LEt me know if you want them. That man was awesome. And you are right. God is still the same. In spite of our heads and hearts.
Yes, I remember how much we were all laughing. That sold us on buying a Mac. I'd love them. Thanks
awesome dude, really awesome…
Very cool.
This is what I like about you, see everything in nothing?!?! ;D
Fret now about your beard (or lack of one). Just saw someone who could pass for your twin. Watched a clip of Daughtry. Thought I was looking at you for a moment.
Oh wow! Awesome story. You have no idea how much I needed that this morning. Thanks!
Wow – what an amazing story. I may have to direct my blog to yours today… hope that's alright.
dude…
WOW…i missed it last night but i am glad i read it this morning. Great way to start my day!!
You continue to reward me for visiting your site…Thanks for the story and your thoughts!
Dude, I can totally relate. Sounds like a rad beard,bro. Great analogy about our relationship with Christ. Too easy to get caught up in the day to day stuff and lose focus.
Well written, Los. Thanks…
Paul Joseph
http://www.twitter.com/PAJoseph
http://www.CriesOfTheHeart.com
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Makes me wish I had thought of it and had my boys help me when I shaved my head last week.
This was a great, “open your eyes and know God is always by your side. ” I am currently unemployed for the first time in years and really struggling with worry and stress. This was very inspiring, thank you.
Wonderful!
thanks for sharing this today. i so needed it!
wow…carlos…thanks man. i hadn't taken any time to just be still this morning…just any reflection point…we were crazy all morning, getting the kids off to school and celebrating my oldests 8th birthday.
and i love the idea, that despite…or no matter, who i was the day she was born and the changes i've experienced and gone through since then…I'm still her daddy. she still loves to curl up on my lap and cuddle…and she still gets angry with me and stomps away…and I love our relationship!
Thanks Los!
Great Stuff! Think I’ll start going to starbucks now
Thanks for this post man. Great stuff. Really spoke to me.
If that's not already flagged to be in your future bestseller book it should be.
Awesome post, dude. I almost hit "mark all as read" in my feed reader this morning. I would have missed this analogy, and that would have been a crime.
Los you blow my mind! I need to read things like this more, it helps me be a better me.
Great, great application.
Thanks for taking the time to think this out and write it!
So, when are you going to share it with Adam?
Wow, Los. What a moving post. Your an excellent descriptive writer! Holy crap. I seriously felt like I was there watching and hearing the whole conversation. I don’t know if it’s the womanly hormones or what – but, my eyes welled up with tears when I read your analogy. Or maybe because it really did hit home. It’s just all SO TRUE. Sometimes other than me running for HIM or thinking HE has changed – sometimes I feel as if he doesn’t recognize me because of my own self – sometimes I don’t even recognize myself…not the person HE so carefully & wonderfully made – even with my shortcomings…HE always remains the same & always will. Thanks so much for this today…
Oh and I meant to tell ya – the picture you chose for the post was PERFECT!
there is a picture of my dad holding my brother and I when we were 4 and 5 respectively… two things about this picture:
1. my dad has no beard (only time in his life),
2. my brother and I are crying and squirming in his arms… as we try to get away from a stranger who calls himself Dad.
Adam, was very wise in having his kids shave the beard. Great story.
Just think… all that at STARBUCKS!
ha.
Wow! What a powerful illustration of God's love for us. No matter how we paint him… he's never-changing and always there for us.
Oh and by the way… you write good!
This was a wonderful story. Really. And all I could think of while reading it the first time through was that he let his 4 & 6 year olds shave him? Dude, is he CRAZY? But then I read it again, and I got it.
Oh Babe, you made me cry. You are an excellent story teller. I love you.
I love real-life metaphors. So moving. Thanks for articulating this so well. ch:
Hi Carlos, I just thought you'd like to know that you've inspired my husband to start blogging, and he dedicated a post to you, his "Blogfather", last night:
http://www.livingthirsty.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
I am a new youthpastor in a church in Saint Louis, do you think it would be okay for me to use this as a talk about change for my students?
…I wonder how many people dropped in this week just to see "the beard guy?"
(Excellent post, BTW.)
Holy crap, that was powerful. Dang it, I absolutely have to get into the Bible more. What the heck is wrong with me? I get so distracted by all the shiny (and lets face it, even the dull) things that I am all over the place. I need the Holy, and I blame Him for moving but nope…it is me for loosing focus or for turning away.
Really beautiful post. Thanks for sharing that.
awesome los… what a profound yet simple picture of our savior…
This is the best post I've read on Raggamuffin since you carried your kid up Stone Mountain!
What a story! Shows us the 'Hello's' God gives us every day if we have our ears and eyes awake
Los, You're real. You're funny. You're whimsical at times. You're transparent.
But THIS post is why I read. Thanks for sharing!!! THIS is why I'm glad you're
back from your blog sabbatical. Blessings….
That's awesome! I have a bald spot on the right side of my face just under my jaw, which won't allow for me to grow more than the a little 'dirty tough guy in his mid-20's' look. Adam is awesome man. Very awesome way to have a new outlook on how I view my Father. Thank you.
dude. sweet. i hope that God opens my eyes enough to see Him like that in the not-so-everyday yet everyday situations. thanks.
Awesome, poignant post
Awesome analogy!
My prayer is that the Holy Spirit opens the door for you to share with Adam what he has taught you through him. Hmmm…that’s a whole lot of pronouns, but I hope you catch my drift…