Would you have ever thought this could be the destination or location of a mission field?
One warm, yet breezy Saturday in May we opened up the doors and set up camp unaware of all that God had in mind for this day and humble venue. Our plan was to have a garage sale to clear out the clutter and abundance of "stuff" and make a few dollars in the meantime. We did pray and ask for the Lord's blessing in this endeavor. However, we never expected to be so blessed by the traffic of people and how the Lord worked through each individual as we welcomed them to our driveway. We did all the usual prepping for this type of day- organizing, set-up of the garage the night before, making the signs and even an add on Craigslist. We went to bed way too late for our early rise the next morning...but, we had to be ready!!!
The alarm went off bright & early, I didn't want to get out of bed...yet knew I still had some pricing that needed to be done. I got out there after awaking in the shower and some assistance from the coffee with the plan to "put on my face" a little later before we began. We opened up shop and yet there were still items without a price and a Mommy in old jeans and flip flops with unpainted toes and a white T-shirt with a picture of a cross that read Because He Lives and Titus 2:11 below it. The Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. I was still "without a face" and all my imperfections were visible. It was from that moment when I thought, as I usually do...I can't do this looking like that! I was humbled and felt peace in the midst of my vain ways and knew my attention was needed on things other than myself.
We are normally challenged with a lack of traffic since we are at the end of our neighborhood. There were a few other sales that day and what a blessing it was to have additional signs to help out one another. The traffic flow was abundant & steady, as well as, the warmth & smiles of our guests that day. The girls operated a water stand and enjoyed greeting all their customers. Madeline especially delighted in soliciting new owners for all their belongings on the kids table- toys, books, crafts & many misc. treasures . They even had a 25 cent, 10 cent & 1 cent box to make it fun for the kids to shop! A free box is a tradition at our sales too.
The Lord really pressed on my heart that day to love others as He loves them and to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We talked to some really precious people that day and we were ministered to and I believe the Lord used us to minister to some too! We are "deal makers" at our sales and known to "give stuff away". There were numerous times when we cut a price way down or had a bonus w/ purchase and had a person look at us like "are you for real"? There is a peace & joy in giving that is like no other!
My prayer is that the Lord used a girl (who was stripped down in a way that only she could understand) in the lives of those who walked away with a "great find" and a few more coins in their pocketbook that day. It was a great day offering a refreshing dose of hope from the less face-to-face relational world we all live in today. I was humbled, blessed and in awe of all that God did that day...His multiplication & provision is so amazing & His timing so perfect. So, when others looked at me like "are you for real" I would have loved to say no~ but my Jesus is...Because He Lives!!!
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ~ Philippians 1:21
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. ~ Philippians 2:1-4
He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30
