Monday, May 15, 2006

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.

8 comments:

Sooze said...

That is sooo cool!! What a blessing you are to so many people!!

Kellie said...

Can you believe that I had the same idea receintly? I just saw all this stuff that I have never taken to the reachout center and thought that maybe I could just have a free sale. Kewl. I love you. You are so great.

momteacherfriend said...

Kellie,
I can believe it...cuz God is that cool. (SMILE) If you do it let me know. I was strightening things in little girls room and found a bunch of stuff that was suppose to go on Sat. Perhaps it was purposed that it be for yours instead. Right stuff for the right people. Sounds like my God. Plus, I am motivated to go through the house right now and sort through things. Yippee!

Anonymous said...

that is so awesome!

Bek said...

what a cool idea! inspiring...i've also thought of the scripture in acts "sell all you have and give it to the poor" and i've been thinking about having a garage sale/ebay and giving all the proceeds away to needy people...

Overwhelmed! said...

A free sale, hmm...I like the idea! I post on www.freecycle.org a lot and that's nice, but I've never tried a free sale in place of a garage sale. It'd be neat to try it and see what kind of reactions I get.

So, I'd love to see a Treasure Tuesday post from you. Stop by and take a look at mine. Leave me a comment if you decide to do one and you'd like me to add your link!

Seeker4Christ said...

That was truely a blessing! It blessed me just to read about it. How incredible, the way God chooses to use you! I pray He soon does the same with me.

Mark Brown said...

Wannted to let you know I too, do the free-cycle thing.

This is really nice, and a great way for your friend to practice devotion.

Next time she can go one step further, and have a specific charity picked out, and suggest that the folks feel free to make a donation to THAT organization instead.

(and then, YES bring it to them!)

PS: there ARE (believe it or not) people who are religious in this world who actually DON't accept Jesus. (sorry to kind of burst your bubble.) As one of these people, I am always happy when (as your story showed) someone can find a new way to connect with God. And as usual, when that name comes up, I always shudder, and wonder how long before a vast majority of this country will attempt to change our democracy into a theology, or more accurately a state similar to ones in Europe, with a state religion...

Sigh, and food for thought...
Cheers
Markb in nj