A Thrift Shop way of life

 Economy, prudence and a simple life are the sure masters of need, and will often accomplish that which their opposites, with a fortune at hand, will fail to do. –Clara Barton

 

I was thinking yesterday about the Thrift Shop we have in the basement of our church. Everything there is freely donated by members and friends of the church. The shop has no costs to run it; the church pays its utilities, and volunteers operate the shop. Prices are extremely low; in many cases, the ladies will take very needy guests on a “shopping spree” and allow them to choose several items at no cost. (It’s a great Thrift Shop, and if you haven’t visited it yet, I highly recommend it.)

So then I got to thinking about God’s Reign, and our role in it. Everything we have is a gift from God. Everything. God give God’s Love so freely, the Psalmist says, that we shall not want.

When we have extra, then, shouldn’t we open our hearts and our hands and freely give to those whose needs are greater than our own?

Shouldn’t we trust that if we are generous, as God is generous, then when we hit a rough patch or a dry spell, God will make sure there is someone in our lives to help us through, whether we are in need of food . . . or shelter . . . or even just a shoulder to lean on?

Give a little, get a little. Look around. See what we have more of than we can possibly use—and open our hands, freely and lovingly. It’s the Thrift Shop way of living, and we are all called to volunteer.


Monday Give thanks today for those who lead our country and our world. Pray for their wisdom, and for peace in the world. Isaiah 43:16-21

Tuesday How close does God seem to you right now? Spend some time in silence today (even just a few minutes) and seek to draw closer. Psalm 126:1-2

Wednesday If you haven’t already, pray today for God to share how God would have you subtract or add to your life during these final days of Lent. Psalm 126:3-6

Thursday Remember today a time when you were particularly aware of God’s faithful presence in your life. (Try to think specifically). Philippians 3:8-11

Friday Find a way today to be a caretaker for your corner of God’s creation. Feed the birds. Start some herb plants from seed. Be creative. Philippians 3:9-14

Saturday As you pray for yourself today, ask God to show you reminders of God. They’re everywhere! John 12:1-3

Sunday Thank God today for the diverse voices and ways of thinking that find their way into your life, every day. Welcome someone in the name of Jesus. John 12:4-8

 

Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need. –Khalil Gibran

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stepping back. . . .

Image
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and with a calm spirit.  Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever,  even if your whole world seems upset.  –St. Francis de Sales This week, I invite you to simply sit in a quiet space with words of hope and promise, and to remember, as Julian of Norwich knew, that all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well . It has been a long, difficult season. Advent and the coming of the Christ is just around the corner. Peace and comfort to your spirit. Monday   “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Matthew 11:28-30 Tuesday  “Is this not the kind of fast I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6-9 Wednesday  “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the
Read more

It's that time again. . . .

When the seasons shift, even the subtle beginning, the scent of a promised changed, I feel something stir inside me. Hopefulness? Gratitude? Openness?  Whatever it is,  it’s welcome. –Kristin Armstrong No matter what part of the world you call home, this time of year brings big changes. While my friends Down Under are watching sings of new growth emerge from the earth as temperatures rise, here in Ohio, the leaves are turning from green to gold and orange, red and brown. The winds have taken on a chill; clouds hang heavy, like soggy cotton, reminding us that soon and very soon, we are going to see the snow . Always different, yet somehow, the same. We depend on God’s eternal ways, and trust that again this year, winter will follow autumn, just like it should. So why is it, as we anticipate and appreciate changes like these, when it comes to so many things in life we pull up short, wrinkle our noses and say No! No change! I like things just the way they are! It’s t
Read more

Starting again

“This, then, is how you should pray:" --Matthew 6:9a I have been really sensing lately that there is another blog inside me, one focused on prayer.  Oh, I know-- those elephants are all about prayer. Heck, they  are  prayer. And I will continue there, as well. But what I've been feeling is that people-- maybe you--  have always been told, "You should pray," or "Pray about that." But maybe you feel your prayers aren't "good enough," or that it's just too hard, too embarrassing, too [fill in the blank] to pray. Maybe it feels like no one really talks about how  to pray-- except, of course, for Jesus, in Matthew 6 and a couple parallel passages where we are given what's come to be known as The Lord's Prayer. And it is a great prayer. And there are other great prayers, and other ways to pray that do not involve rote. So "my plan" here is to share, hopefully on a weekly or semi-regular basis, a lot of
Read more