Jennifer Schmidt is a full time family manager that writes about her never ending pursuit of “Balancing it all...the good, bad and ugly” at her personal blog: Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.
As a...
I love the line you wrote, “But chosen wisely, the mundane becomes magical.” So true!
I love how you repurposed that tray…I would never have thought of that. I’m going to be checking out some other tips of yours! Thanks so much for posting this!
Thank you for this post. I have been reading through 1 Timothy and about a week ago came to 1 Timothy 2:3. Up until now I have wanted to have 1/2 of our clothes budget becuase “I’m a woman and need more clothes”. After reading this verse I realized, “no you DON’T!” I’m a stay at home mother and my husband has to wear nice clothes to work, do I NEED to wear nice clothes to work, no. I realized that HE should have most of the budget and I should ALWAYS be shopping Goodwill because I can and because that’s what we can afford. I asked my husband to keep me accountable, that buying all of my clothes second hand was what I felt I wanted to do to honor God and help our family. Anyway, sorry for writing such a long comment on your post…clearly this idea has a new place in my heart that I am so grateful for. Thank you! Brooke
3Charla @ For the Sake of TimeNovember 18, 2009 at 5:32 AM
Your words this morning are so perfect. Thank you for all you share of yourself and Our Father. I too, love to go to our local thrift stores. It appears at times, I purchase more than I donate : O )
Your blog is a blessing to my heart.
Have a wonderful day.
Charla
Thank you so much for writing this article. I love thrift stores and have taught both of my children about thrift stores!
They even get excited if we are driving down the road and we find a piece that is still in excellent shape that someone is throwing away because they have replaced it.
The beauty of another man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And you are right. God looks at us this way. The world sees us as trash, but to God, we are a treasure, just in need of a little repurposing!
Thanks again for this wonderful article!
An inspiring post, Jen! And a beautiful way to see all these good things God gives us…
(And you looking over your shoulder — you’re lovely!)
Thank you, sweet friend…
All’s grace…
Yay! I’m very excited to have several “new” dresses this season – from $1.50 to $4! And a pair of tall black boots – $5!! Even a while, lace shawl that pairs with many of them – $2. :)
I love my local MCC thrift store. People are always amazed at what I manage to find there.
Your statement, “Surprising my family by giving me the desires of my heart is just one miracle He has done for me in a thrift store. And better yet, He did it for pennies on the dollar. He is the Master at making “all things new” now, isn’t He?” Is totally me. So many times I am in need of something specific and I head to the MCC. I am always amazed when the item I am seeking is right there before my eyes for less than a dollar!
My house is decorated from top to bottom with treasures from there. Christmas is my favourite decorating season and I have bought my tree there too. I posted about it here if you want to check it out. http://beautyinallthings.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/how-i-decorate-my-tree/
God is so good. When we were contemplating bankruptcy a few years ago I even bought the kids Christmas gifts there. They were in new condition and just had no box. They were none the wiser and we were able to actually buy them something that year.
Thank you for sharing. I hope many more people will be inspired to find the treasure beyond the smell!
My daughter and I frequent our local Goodwill and we are always surprised at the treasures we find. I, for one, am not too proud to wear something that belonged to someone else. My friends and I always compare out Goodwill finds. Love your post and your pics are beautiful!
Amen, sister! I’m quite sure Jesus would hang out at the Goodwill store. He’d love the people there, and He’d celebrate the fact that His Father supplies all our needs. And He’d surely want to talk with Jen. That would be a highlight for Him, I know.
Praise God I am not alone in my thrift store excitement! 85% of all of my family’s clothes are thirft store finds and nobody would even know it.
I have been on this pottery kick lately and about a month ago God blessed me with a pottery bowl in my style, in an area of the country you just don’t happen upon anything pottery for $2.00. When I got home and inspected it I found the original price was $18.00 I think. Oh that God loves us enough to bless us…..even at goodwill…..with what other people have discarded.
I love your line “He is the master at making “all things new”, isn’t He?” What a beautiful post…..a real kiss from Daddy God this morning.
I love thrift stores too. I always tell my girls it’s like a treasure hunt. For me that’s the fun of it!! I’m so glad to see other people who find my joy in it.
Thrift store shopping has always been great fun for me. My mom used to volunteer at one thrift store, and she taught me how to shop there. I’m proud to say I’ve passed this tradition on to my daughter. Mom’s number one tip: Don’t buy what you don’t want. If you hesitate, you probably don’t want it. Move on. :) Great post, Jennifer!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the line you wrote, “But chosen wisely, the mundane becomes magical.” So true!
I love how you repurposed that tray…I would never have thought of that. I’m going to be checking out some other tips of yours! Thanks so much for posting this!
Thank you for this post. I have been reading through 1 Timothy and about a week ago came to 1 Timothy 2:3. Up until now I have wanted to have 1/2 of our clothes budget becuase “I’m a woman and need more clothes”. After reading this verse I realized, “no you DON’T!” I’m a stay at home mother and my husband has to wear nice clothes to work, do I NEED to wear nice clothes to work, no. I realized that HE should have most of the budget and I should ALWAYS be shopping Goodwill because I can and because that’s what we can afford. I asked my husband to keep me accountable, that buying all of my clothes second hand was what I felt I wanted to do to honor God and help our family. Anyway, sorry for writing such a long comment on your post…clearly this idea has a new place in my heart that I am so grateful for. Thank you! Brooke
Your words this morning are so perfect. Thank you for all you share of yourself and Our Father. I too, love to go to our local thrift stores. It appears at times, I purchase more than I donate : O )
Your blog is a blessing to my heart.
Have a wonderful day.
Charla
Thank you so much for writing this article. I love thrift stores and have taught both of my children about thrift stores!
They even get excited if we are driving down the road and we find a piece that is still in excellent shape that someone is throwing away because they have replaced it.
The beauty of another man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And you are right. God looks at us this way. The world sees us as trash, but to God, we are a treasure, just in need of a little repurposing!
Thanks again for this wonderful article!
An inspiring post, Jen! And a beautiful way to see all these good things God gives us…
(And you looking over your shoulder — you’re lovely!)
Thank you, sweet friend…
All’s grace…
Jen, I’m inspired! Thanks for the great ideas!
Yay! I’m very excited to have several “new” dresses this season – from $1.50 to $4! And a pair of tall black boots – $5!! Even a while, lace shawl that pairs with many of them – $2. :)
I love my local MCC thrift store. People are always amazed at what I manage to find there.
Your statement, “Surprising my family by giving me the desires of my heart is just one miracle He has done for me in a thrift store. And better yet, He did it for pennies on the dollar. He is the Master at making “all things new” now, isn’t He?” Is totally me. So many times I am in need of something specific and I head to the MCC. I am always amazed when the item I am seeking is right there before my eyes for less than a dollar!
My house is decorated from top to bottom with treasures from there. Christmas is my favourite decorating season and I have bought my tree there too. I posted about it here if you want to check it out. http://beautyinallthings.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/how-i-decorate-my-tree/
God is so good. When we were contemplating bankruptcy a few years ago I even bought the kids Christmas gifts there. They were in new condition and just had no box. They were none the wiser and we were able to actually buy them something that year.
Thank you for sharing. I hope many more people will be inspired to find the treasure beyond the smell!
My daughter and I frequent our local Goodwill and we are always surprised at the treasures we find. I, for one, am not too proud to wear something that belonged to someone else. My friends and I always compare out Goodwill finds. Love your post and your pics are beautiful!
This is a great post! Thanks for sharing all those finds and your heart as well. I love the chalkboard idea :)
Amen, sister! I’m quite sure Jesus would hang out at the Goodwill store. He’d love the people there, and He’d celebrate the fact that His Father supplies all our needs. And He’d surely want to talk with Jen. That would be a highlight for Him, I know.
Praise God I am not alone in my thrift store excitement! 85% of all of my family’s clothes are thirft store finds and nobody would even know it.
I have been on this pottery kick lately and about a month ago God blessed me with a pottery bowl in my style, in an area of the country you just don’t happen upon anything pottery for $2.00. When I got home and inspected it I found the original price was $18.00 I think. Oh that God loves us enough to bless us…..even at goodwill…..with what other people have discarded.
I love your line “He is the master at making “all things new”, isn’t He?” What a beautiful post…..a real kiss from Daddy God this morning.
Thanks for reminding me – I need to find my local thrift stores!
Cxx
I love thrift stores too. I always tell my girls it’s like a treasure hunt. For me that’s the fun of it!! I’m so glad to see other people who find my joy in it.
I have been wanting to go through thrift stores and find treasures for our new home. I love the idea of re purposing items. Great post!
Beautifully written, Jen! You continue to inspire. Thanks!!! Blessings!
I so enjoyed this post! It’s so neat to be able to find things and turn them in to treasure.
Love this post! Thrifting is like treasure hunting! :)
Thrift store shopping has always been great fun for me. My mom used to volunteer at one thrift store, and she taught me how to shop there. I’m proud to say I’ve passed this tradition on to my daughter. Mom’s number one tip: Don’t buy what you don’t want. If you hesitate, you probably don’t want it. Move on. :) Great post, Jennifer!