Peace on earth…and goodwill at Goodwill

The thrift store and I go back a long ways.

I began going to thrift stores when I was 16.  I love the interesting people I meet shopping there, and all the treasures I find are just an added bonus!

This past year, I had gotten several bags of clothes ready to donate to the local Goodwill.  I was going into town to run errands and dropping off my donations was first on my list.  As I was in the shower that morning, I began to pray about these clothes… that God would use them or use me at the Goodwill.  It was odd, because I don’t recall ever praying specifically for this before…

I finished getting ready and put all the things in my van.  It was a cold, sunny day and I pulled straight into a parking spot near the back of the store.  I got out of the van, and there was a middle-aged lady leaning on the trunk of her car.  She was just standing there- it was like she was waiting for me.  It was the craziest thing!

“Hi, how are you doing?”  I asked her, casually.

“I’m good.”

I immediately thought of the things in my van, and as I opened my van to take out the items, I asked her if she needed any of the things I was giving away.  I had lots of clothing and shoes, and even a bicycle I was donating.

“Do you need a bike?  Or maybe you know someone else who needs it?”  I asked her, sure that somehow God wanted me to help this woman with something. I was a little surprised that she didn’t take anything I was giving away.

Then she said, “No… well, what I really need is a coat.”

I sifted through several bags, and unfortunately I didn’t have one to offer her.

“How about I go inside and look for one for you?”

She said she had already been inside, and that there were none that fit her.  Immediately I knew I had to find her a coat, and was even prepared to go to another store to find one, if I needed to. She smiled and said she’d be inside in a few minutes.

I went to the rack of coats, and as I was looking, the workers put out several more on the rack.  I picked up a beautiful cranberry colored coat and just as I held it up, she walked into the store.

“I think I found you one!”  I smiled and held it out for her. She slipped her arms through the coat and smiled.

“It’s a perfect fit!” I said to her.

“I think this one is 5$,  and I wasn’t expecting to pay quite that much for a coat today.” I could hear the embarrassment in her voice.

I had planned on purchasing it all along for her.  “It’s my treat,” I smiled as I took the coat from her arms.

She followed me up to the register without saying a word.  I handed the cashier the money for the coat, and the lady asked the casher for a piece of paper and a pen. I wondered what she was going to do with it.

“Will you write down your name for me?” the lady said to me with tears in her eyes.

I smiled.  I have a feeling she just wanted to prove to someone that this had actually happened to her. So I signed it-

God bless you!

With love,

Julie

How different all our excursions would be if we prayed to be used. How different life is when we see ourselves as “messengers” on a mission for Him.  I don’t know that lady’s name… but all I know is that God used me to help someone else- and that lady, who seemed to be waiting for me-

was actually an answer to my prayer!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

Lord, help me to focus on You and the little missions You want to use me for- not matter how small, no matter how insignificant they might seem. Help me to give generously, love unconditionally, and to do all things for You!  

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