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the wrong-size clothes
the already-read paperback books
the toys i'm not saving for grandchildren
is a social responsibility
and
goodwill shopping -
the surprise africa-peace-sign t-shirt
the lined, wool pants (even pocketless)
the unopened hillsong united cd
is a service opportunity
but
the. shoes.
i wandered back there today
(hoping it would feel better this time)
but
the six racks of worn-out browns and blacks
always remind me of the shoe room
at the
holocaust museum
and
i'm a little undone
so i turn around after only a cursory glance
and
hope that five t-shirts are
social justice enough for the day....
what are your thoughts and experiences with goodwill?
i'm so grateful for god's work happening in and around me. counting these thankfuls to 1000-
954. mystery money in elizabeth's account for the dominican school
955. texas pete, ranch dressing, pizza. who knew?
956. spring soccer
957. baseball season-opener
958. blankets and hats and toe-warmers for 956 & 957
959. bluebirds' arrival
960. maple's blush
linking with -
michelle for hear it monday, use it on sunday, ann for 1000 gifts, joan for sharing his beauty, laura for playdates with god, jennifer for tell his story, jen for soli deo gloria, my freshly brewed life and kat for titus 2 tuesdays
Kendal, you have such a gift for poetry! -- I used to run the drama program at a Christian school, and we did all our prop shopping at thrift stores. I loved finding old Fedoras and comfy used furniture there. Good finds... there is so much history and un-told stories in an item. I wonder who wore that hat....
ReplyDeleteThe shoes. No, I can never buy the shoes either. :-( I wonder what that says about me. The shoes in my closet look no better; maybe I feel walking in the same shoes is a little too close for comfort?
ReplyDeleteI volunteer at a place that gives away clothes to whoever needs them, and I see how excited people get when they receive a pair of free shoes.
Lord, have mercy on us all.
I understand. The shoes at Goodwill always look sad to me. Like they are sad, forsaken, forgotten. I don't know why. The clothes don't give me the same vibe. Isn't that odd?
ReplyDeleteI have been there. I know the exact room that you speak of and I will never get it out of my mind. Ever.
ReplyDeletekendal, I haven't been to the holocaust room that you speak of. perhaps it is why I was able to purchase a favorite pair of shoes at Goodwill that since became my favorite. But... my experience at Goodwill changed when my husband (in our 1 income family) lost his job. it felt different. (perhaps it shouldn't and this exposes my pride, i think). it felt different when he was out of work and i 'needed' the discount rather than when I just 'wanted' a bargain. it is good for us to brush with things uncomfortable for us when it changes us for the better.
ReplyDelete--kathleen
Truth be told, I love Goodwill. One time my sons and I went to a $1 per T-shirt sale. I think we left with about 25 shirts. Really.
ReplyDeleteI've been to the Holocaust museum - and yes, it wrenched my heart into pieces. Yes, the shoes are brutal. I always think of the individual stories behind the shoes or clothing (even at Goodwill). My sadness is only consoled by knowing that my loving Father knows it all - everything about those people. And I often pray that He finds a way to meet them in their stories.
GOD BLESS!
Hi Kendall,
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you. I'm hopping over from Ann's link up.
I love thrift stores and get most of my and my family's clothes from there. :) Thanks for your thoughts here too on civic responsibility.
Wow, your mention of the holocaust rooms are powerful, huh? I visited one in Auschwitz when I was 17 years old. So riveting and sobering. Where did you see yours?
Have a lovely week,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
OOO I have seen that room in the Holocaust room - still gives me chill. Shopping Goodwill you can find some treasures but like the Bible verse says sometimes you have to dig for them.
ReplyDelete