Over Christmas I set aside some time to sit by the fire, drink some coffee, and read “How Starbucks Saved My Life,” by Micheal Gates Gill.

This book had been mentioned in some places I respect and the theme peaked my interest.

The book is a memoir of Micheal Gates Gill and chronicles his “fall” from living the good life to being a barista at a Starbucks in New York City.

In this book Michael has to come to grips with the reasons for his fall and face some of his prejudices with respect to working with and for minorities.

One of the things that I liked about the book and would lend itself to a sermon illustration is the respect that Gates gains for jobs he previously would not be caught dead doing. It is the proud being humbled and the foolish things shaming the wise.

The most powerful point in the book is when he realizes that he is happier making ten bucks an hour serving coffee…on his feet all day…having to pack a lunch… than he was making a lot of money, having his own assistant, and eating lunch at the Oyster Bar. He found happiness in serving others rather than being served. Again, as an illustration it could prove to be quite powerful.

A final thing I liked about the book was the inside look at how Starbucks operates.  I think we can learn a think or two about leading others from this book.  His manager did some text book coaching to help him thrive at work.  (The Starbucks Experience is a much better look at how the company works.)

That being said, I don’t recommend you using your limited expense account to go buy it. It is quick, entertaining read…check it out from the library and photo copy the couple of pages you would find helpful.  Take the money you save and go buy a latte.