Free Sale!?

Back in February, I had taken some time to go through stuff in our home. I managed to set stuff aside to be given away. Some went to family, some went to a friend and the remainder went to the FREE SALE!
Around the same time that I went through things God was speaking to a friend and I about giving. Being generous. Giving without desire or expectation of return. So my friend came up with the idea of a free sale. What is a free sale? Good question. Her neighborhood has an annual neighborhood garage sale. She decided she was going to have her garage sale at this time except everything would be given away for free! Fabulous. My husband has always said he would rather give things away than have a sale. God was dealing with me about being a generous giver and also, not to hoard things. Especially that which is going unused in my home.
So this Saturday was the first annual FREE SALE. I say annual because yes we will do it again!
The response was hilarious. As people walked up to the garage we would greet them with a "Hi, everything on the tables is free so if you find anything you like, it's yours. Let us know if you need a bag." We had a variety of opening lines as well as a couple of signs that stated everything on tables free. God bless! So then came the responses. "Are you serious!" "You have got to be joking." "That's a first!" "Ummm...are you sure." laughter, smiles, "No way, I had JUST said to my girlfriend, wouldn't it be cool if we went to a garage sale were EVERYTHING was free." Well, she found it. Then it was also interesting to observe human nature. There were some who would shop around, find a true need then come back to you to make sure it was really OK that they take it. To whom we would reassure that yes, they may, yes we are sure. No we dont want anything for it. Have a great day. Then there were others who would quickly load up that which they wanted, avoid eye contact and make a mad dash; before we could change our minds. Some were giddy about their free treasures. Some people questioned our motives. The biggest response being, "You really must have wanted to get rid of it." To which I would respond, "No we just wanted to bless you!" Some got it; others didn't. There were specific words for some. Converstions that needed to take place. One lady early in the morning, questioned my friend over and over. She wanted to understand. In the end, my friend gave her the whole story of how God was leading her to do it and it was an act of obdience. So she reached in her purse to give my friend some money. Which my friend did not want to accept. She stated again that it was an act of obedience and she didn't want any money. To which the lady replied.."Then I am being obedient"and thrust a dollar in her hand. My dear friend I love her so, she hid it in an item to bless someone else. The very last woman to come as we began to put things away ended up stay for a long time talking. Sharing her heart and pain of the last year. In the end we ended up praying for her. How cool is that?
I learned some very valuable things this weekend. All things truely do belong to the Lord and I am just a stewart of what he has given to me. That He will give good gifts to his kids. That there is GREAT JOY in giving! It is a blessing to give. That I don't need all the stuff in my house. In fact I am excited about going through stuff to give away. That I can learn a thing or two from those around me.
Also, we were able to give away all but one box of stuff. Woohoo! Which will be given away to a charity.
Note: I am not suggesting that everyone stop having garage sales and instead give everything away. I know for a fact that God has used garage sales to bless some of you with the extra cash to meet a specific need. I will also say that if God leads you to do a free sale. Don't discard it as a silly thing, for you will be blessed beyond measure if you obey.