Last week I popped into a local thrift store. This is nothing new for me. Thrifting, yard sales, and second-hand shopping are so much a part of my DNA that I even have a separate line item in my budget solely designated for thrifting. When I see an unsuspecting garage sale sign, I’m that annoying driver in front of you who slams on her brakes and makes a quick U-turn, but I always wave apologetically, acknowledging my impulsive decision.
While I’ve spent decades dusting old wares in second-hand stores, I understand that thrifting isn’t for everyone. Yet for me, the melting pot mentality of America is embodied in a thrift store. I love that people from all nations, socioeconomic and political backgrounds shop side by side on their trash-to-treasure hunting quest. At a thrift store, one can look around the parking lot and observe vehicles ranging from BMW’s to Beretta’s, find shelves stocked with both jewels and junk, and see purchasers who carry Amex Gold cards, food stamps, and everything in between.
So this day was like any other errand day. I gave myself a little margin to stop into a few stores between appointments because frequent store pop-ins and persistence are the answer to my friends’ lament, “Jen, you always find such great stuff. Why can’t I ever find anything?”
As I strolled the aisles with my eagle eyes and picked up a rusty odd-shaped bowl (or maybe it was a box, I hadn’t quite figured it out yet), the woman next to me inquired, “Now what would you do with that old thing?”
“That is a good question,” I replied. “ It doesn’t look like much, but it’s got a unique shape, so I think I’ll spray paint it and use it for cut flowers.”
“Hmm. I never thought of doing something like that before.” She moved down the aisle and picked up another item from the shelf. “How about this?”
And so it began. The next thirty minutes felt like a pilot to my new HGTV show where a shopping companion tries to stump me with every odd item in the store.
The funny thing was that this fellow shopper and I couldn’t have been more different. But I had a choice right then: I could easily view her questions as an irritating interruption to a busy schedule, or I could choose to see this opportunity of “hospitality on the go” as a divine appointment. I didn’t get much shopping done on that “quick” pop-in, but Mary (my new friend) and I bonded in a way that only the Lord orchestrates.
As we rolled our carts towards the checkout, Mary paused, “Do you HAVE to shop at this store?”
“Right now I don’t, but I’ve had seasons of unemployment and financial uncertainty when I did. The Lord amazed my family over and over again during those challenging times by providing sweet secondhand surprises. And better yet, He did it for pennies on the dollar allowing me to steward what little I had in my pocketbook.”
I knew she wasn’t expecting that kind of honesty, but I felt called to continue.
“I don’t know if you have any kind of faith story, Mary, but I truly believe that if Jesus walked these streets today, He would definitely hang out at His local thrift store. Not only would He love this kind of diversity, but there’s a Bible verse where we’re assured that He is the Master of ‘making all things new.’ If He can wipe our tears, heal the blind, and make the lame walk, surely He can surprise us by turning someone else’s trash into our treasure. I know because He’s done it for me time and time again. He is the giver of all good things.” (Read Revelation 21:3-5!)
I waited for her to laugh at my answer or call me crazy but instead, she declared, “I haven’t had this much fun shopping in a long time. I’ve learned so much from you and I wish I could shop with you all the time.”
We gave each other a quick awkward hug. I mean, we were essentially strangers, but it didn’t feel that way anymore. And to think that I almost rushed by her in the aisle because I viewed her as an interruption rather than a divine appointment. I’m grateful that the Lord loves us enough to use us even in the middle of people’s discarded second-hand finds. He certainly is making all things new.
Have I made you a believer? Do you have a fun thrift store find or story to share?
Oh Jen! Not only do I love to go into thrift shops, I volunteer at my church’s thrift shop. I have so much fun trying to figure out what things are and what to do with them, meeting new people and helping others. And all the money goes to mission so that makes it even more special. And it is reassuring to see how generous people are as they make donations to whatever it is we are collecting for. It is wonderful to see people from all walks of life. We have our regulars and then people who are new to the area or are driving through town who come in. I think you are correct in thinking this a place where Jesus would hang out. We have one woman in her 80s who is going through round 2 of breast cancer. She comes in every week on a Saturday and shares her progress. She is the most generous person, always making large donations to the collection jar and has the most joyful attitude of gratitude. This past Saturday, she bought all our straw hats in a variety of colors and shared her knew head scarves. Jesus makes all things new for sure.
Oh Madeline – I love hearing your story of seeing first hand the ways your store meets the needs of your community. Such a special place to volunteer. Thanks for sharing. Love it. ❤️
Dear Jen…….I truly enjoyed your story today. Where I live, is a very small, very old town where generations of families have lived even as one generation passed, the second generation took there home and lived there. This went on time after time. I am sorry, but there is not a Thrift Store here, but your story certainly connected me in a way that was perfect. Instead of being annoyed by the ” interruption “, you used it in a way that I call a God-Wink ( divine intervention ). I watch many Hallmark movies and that is what they call things like this. It has actually happened to me several times in my life. I am 76 years old and alone in a very difficult situation that has already stretched out to 18 months and is still not settled. When I was working, I had a very challenging job where I managed 30 people in a very large company in the Customer/Service area. You learn many things in this spot. I worked at this company for 35 years before I retired. Before that I was a payroll supervisor for 10 years at a trucking company with 300 truck drivers. WOW, did I learn much there how to handle all kind of problems including very angry men that used every curse word to me that is known to man. This is the way I could definitely connect to your story. No matter how busy or maybe having a bad day, all of the problems I solved were through not being annoyed at people, but to be kind and understanding and really HELP them, not just brush them off. I found that I made many ” friends ” even though I had never met them. Thank you for your story that has brought up many memories, maybe good and maybe, not so good, but Jesus and my Holy Spirit were guiding me all that time as God knew where I eventually belonged and that was my ” Dream Job ” for 35 years. I am a generous, loving, kind individual and make friends with anyone that seems to be needing a little help or just a short conversation. Thank you Jen and I will look a little harder for that Thrift Store as I just moved into this facility a short time ago. My love and prayers, I send to you today and if I may also a hug as I do not have anyone to do that anymore. My husband of 55 years has the violent type of dementia and on 4/20/2023, he almost killed me. He has been in denial for 6 years now. I am not allowed to see him as I have to think of my safety. There is so much more, but I will not bore you with the most heartbreaking thing that has every had in my life……………..Betsy Basile
I so grateful Jesus chose to repurpose me!
I am an occasional thrifter, and made an entire pirate costume for a cruise from thrifted items. Roaming the aisles of a thrift store are like hunting for treasure!
This was a wonderful devotional and it shows that when our hearts are open, ministry can take place anywhere. Mary’s question was your open door to share and minister from the of tough seasons in your life. My ministry opportunities happen whenever someone compliments my hair. That’s when God gives me an open door to share my testimony about surviving breast cancer, a tough season in my life.
I will remember this devotional every time I encounter a “Mary”.
You must be my twin sister, this devotional is me to a “T” God has given me the “Thrift Store eagle eye” as well, I can’t fathom going into a regular store, it has to be a Thrift store, my friends don’t understand, I’m so glad you do.. & the conversations that start off with, “what do you think of this” is where God uses us to sprinkle a little bit of HIM everywhere we go..and Yes, HE is in every Thrift store.. His word says in Joshua He is with us wherever we go, we are HIS sons & daughter planting seeds in the lives of people even in the Thrift Store.. Thank you for this devotional.❤️
My mother, brother and I go thrifting once a month. We absolutely love it and look forward to these weekends together. We do lunch and spend the day hitting all the stores and having tons of laughs. We are creating great memories and reminisce often about the treasures that God provides on these trips and the fun that we have. We are so grateful for these times together and the way God reminds us that he cares about us by putting that special piece there for us to find that brings us so much joy.
Thank you Jennifer. I am not a frequent thrift shopper, but I have many “could have come from a thrift shop” items. One of my favorites is a consignment store with lots of individual booths and many vintage items. Even my husband enjoys going to it.
I especially liked your thought about “hospitality on the go”. You had an opening to talk about the Lord, related it to your surroundings and it seemed well received. What a compliment that she’d like to shop with you all the time.
My mother (who passed away last year) and I have been known for speaking to people in stores, often checkout lines, and having brief conversations. I recently met a frail elderly woman whose family members were propping her up to get around in a store. She looked straight at me and said hello. Her voice sounded like my mom and her sisters who grew up in the south. As we spoke I found out she had grown up in a town not far from my mother in another state. We both had big smiles as we ended our conversation. I was blessed by the brief encounter, and later prayed for that sweet lady and her family. I think many people can be uplifted and blessed by these encounters, welcoming someone into our “on the go” space.
Teresa – sorry this is long past when you left your comment, but I loved hearing your story of how the Lord opened up a chance to take your hospitality on the go. What a wonderful opportunity and legacy since you thought of your mom. So sorry for your loss.
Jen,
I love, love, love thrift stores, yard sales & hand me downs. Who knows what or who you will find at thrift stores. Like you there may be a chance encounter to talk about God & His love for us. An added bonus is that you are probably helping a mission of some kind. Since God can turn broken, hurt lives into loving, caring people. He can certainly turn someone else’s trash into a treasure.
Blessings 🙂