There is something in life that makes me feel truly connected to God. It’s not something you might think of as a spiritual activity. In fact, some may not think this matters at all to God. But I’ve seen him come through for me in this area time and again. And the activity? Shopping.
Yes, shopping – especially thrifting – is an area where I feel God’s presence and guidance.
Time and again, I’ve found just the right thing at the right time. I’ve found things I loved but had no use for until years later, when I was so happy to have that perfect item in my decor stash.
A recent example is a large bag of blue and white porcelain hardware – knobs for furniture. I bought the bag for $5 years ago at a yard sale without any clue how I would use it. But then when I was redecorating my kitchen, I realized I had the perfect hardware – and enough for all the cabinets. Just one piece of hardware can be more than $5 brand new.
In the past when I’ve lived in apartments, I would often source the perfect furniture for my little home at a great price. I remember finding the perfect $10 desk on Facebook marketplace that I used as a vanity – they even threw in a free step stool to go with it.
When I had a manic episode related to my bipolar disorder diagnosis, I was throwing out some of my possessions. I came to regret a lot of that later on. But then I would go thrifting and find the exact pieces I was missing. I found a brass fan, a Limoges portrait plate, and coffee table books that I really missed having.
And then there would be times I would sense a nudge not to buy something. Often when this happened, it would turn out either to be a better deal somewhere else or that someone had already purchased something similar as a gift.
I frequently pray before thrifting for God to guide me on what I should purchase. A prayer I often pray is for God to open my eyes to the creative possibilities of the objects I’m looking at.
This doesn’t mean that I always find something. However, I think that part of inviting God into my shopping is showing restraint when I don’t need to buy anything.
Most of my shopping is decor for my home. I have always been successful at furnishing my home on a low budget. Countless times I’ve thrifted or been gifted the perfect items for my home.
Recently, we were able to renovate our kitchen on a budget. My parents generously chipped in for our dream granite countertops that really took the design to the next level.
I didn’t think we could get our kitchen looking this good so soon. I thought for sure I’d have to wait a few more years. But God made a way for it to happen now. He provided the funds and the creativity to pull it off.
God has always given me exactly what I need to be creative in my home. I’m not wealthy and my home isn’t huge, but my desires are fulfilled by a God who seems to care about what I care about.
Living in a beautiful home isn’t frivolous. Finding the perfect item while shopping isn’t either. One of the things I have loved discovering about God is that he values beauty and creativity – and he loves to fulfill our desires.
Design, thrifting, and entertaining are my passion, and I share that passion with you through this blog. I also love being in the kitchen and crafting cocktails. I love Jesus and occasionally, I talk about him too. He has been so powerful in my life, and I love to bring him glory with my hobbies.
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