I was five. The furniture salesman asked my Dad ‘How can I help you today. Looking for anything particular?’
My Dad grinned, motioned for the man’s attention to head my direction and stepped back.
In my small hands were new bills, recently exchanged from quarters that were ear-marked for Pac-Man but were saved, birthday checks from Aunt Sue, and little tuck-ins that Meme made sure I had on the everyday-normal kind of days.
I unfolded the ad ripped from a magazine and carefully showed it to the man. He smiled and asked if that’s what I was looking for.
{Was he kidding? This wasn’t just what I was looking for, this white four-poster bed with hand painted flowers gracing the headboard, beautifully adorned with a gauzy canopy, had been my dream bed for over a year.}
This bed was the one that I had wanted, asked for, saved for. The bed that would be the centerpiece of future slumber parties and awkward phone calls with boys. The one that would console my tears prompted by a mean girl and prop me up while I studied for AP classes. This was THE bed and I knew it.
Fast forward more than 28 years and I still love that bed. It’s traveled with me from my parents’ house to my first home, to the storage shed after I married, and then after our last move, it sits in our garage next to my car.
I think I got attached since it was such major purchase at such a young age. One of the first dreams realized has a way of imprinting on a heart forever.
I convinced myself that someday I would give it to my daughter. But I’m sure that would be like a faded wedding dress that was worn 30 years before to a newly engaged bride-to-be. . . not exactly her taste.
The other morning as I was pulling into our garage, I glanced at the four posters sticking up over cardboard. It made me sad. For the first time I realized that it’s purpose was being wasted. As silly as this might sound, I started to pray for God to show me what to do with this bed {plus desk, chair and small side table. My parents bought the rest of the set after I purchased the bed}.
Funny. . . how God prompts us with His Spirit about the smallest of small, the very things that we deem unimportant are sometimes the closest to our heart and hardest to do.
What you don’t know is that this week I was praying “that I would imitate the Lord. As a result, becoming an example to all Christians. And that the word of the Lord would ring out to people everywhere, all over the world, because of my faith in God.” {based on 1 Thess 1:6-8}
Just a day later, in our church bulletin, was a small announcement for a Furniture Loan Program to international students at our local university. I circled it and contacted Bill this morning.
I confess that I hoped that ‘Loan Program’ meant that I would get the bed back, maybe a little roughed up, but I would still have it. His email came back with the news that Jesus used. It’s a gift, not a loan. Deep down I knew it would be. I must give the bed and all that goes with it to these students. . . and God will answer my simple, courageous prayer through it.
Funny how Jesus prompts us to pray. How He orchestrates timing and reasons that are beyond our imagination. How God can use the dream of a little girl and a canopy bed to reach the lost, teach true generosity, and fling His Word to the ends of the earth.
What are you holding on to, storing in your house or your soul, hoping you don’t have to give?
Jesus gently nudges.
He will show you the clear signs and help you notice them when you don’t want to. He will give you the courage to do the small so He can free you up to the do the sometimes bigger, for Him.
He will spread your canopy of faith to the ends of the earth and bring joy to your heart.
Natalie says
This is so beautiful, thank you for sharing this story. It’s so sweet 🙂
Becky M says
I will apparently be sharing a few tears with you (as they came up this morning when I read your words) . . . a blessing in more ways than one.
Jennifer says
Thanks. You used words to express my heart. I’m in a Bible study
group working on James (with Beth Moore) and we have been
praying about the Holy Spirit nudging us to activate our faith.
The heart things we own are “the very things” He wants to use
to show our faith….and “flesh” it out.
And these heart things are painful when we “walk” them out.
But , it is in the living out that we find soul Joy.
Yes Lord….use us. Amen.
Jen Gunning says
Recently the Holy Spirit has been nudging me to bag up the kids’ outgrown clothes and give them away instead of storing them for the bi-annual consignment sale that I participate in (and in turn, earn the money that we use for Christmas and birthday gifts with.) As a stay at home mom, I always feel a tinge of guilt at not being more productive toward the family budget (I used to make half our income, before the kids were born.) So taking away this little bit of contributing has really been a challenge and I couldn’t take the plunge last fall, even though I am sure it was what the Spirit was directing me to do. However, over the last 6 months, the Spirit has continued to nudge me forward and yesterday I bagged up all my girl clothes and loaded them into the van. I found a family with a little girl who could use them and their thankfulness was a surprising balm to my worry about lost finances. I’ve come to realize that saving the clothes and then having to sort and tag them was becoming a bigger burden on me than I realized, and it may have become an obstacle to the next season of providence that the Lord has in mind for us. Now that I’ve jumped our of the security of MY plans and into His unknown but faithfulness, it doesn’t feel nearly as scary as I thought it would and worry has been replaced with joy and excitement at what comes next now that I’m not fussing about a bunch of outgrown tshirts and shorts.
Stephanie Bryant says
Isn’t it fun to see the joy that a small gift can give. I love that you’re unburdened and unleashed for the Kingdom. 🙂
Kathy @ In Quiet Places Devotions says
I love the way your story demonstrates how God works through us to meet the needs of others, we are the tender vessels a divine God uses to accomplish His will on this earth.
wanda says
One of the greatest blessings is to sacrifice something we really love for someone who needs it more than we do.
I’ve learned that a time or two! 🙂
Jamie says
A lovely post I am glad I read today.
Beth Williams says
I wish more people would try this idea. My hubby and I have no problem with ridding ourselves of “outdated, unused or unworn” items. I readily take this stuff to Goodwill or pass them on to others for garage sales, etc.
I find it exhilerating & liberating to know that someone else may benefit in some small way from something I’m not using anymore or just don’t like.
Thanks for a great post@
karen says
So funny I should read this today, as this weekend is the day I am going to start decluttering and simplifying my house…………… I have been putting it off for so long finding it hard to just do the first thing. Thank you for sharing.
karen:)
Stephanie Bryant says
You can do it, girl!
Lori says
Love love this!!! thnx for sharing such a sweet story! its prompted me to consider what I am holding onto, afraid to relinquish to God’s better plan. Have a blessed day!
Lisa says
What a sweet post, and so brave of you to give up something that you love so much. But it will be put to such better use than sitting unused in a corner of your garage. You’ve done good…
Jennifer says
Thank you, Stephanie. I’m praying for wisdom on what my “thing” is.
Katy says
Stephanie, what a beautiful story! I love what you said here about how sometimes the things which Jesus prompts us to do–the hardest things–are often the smallest, the ones that might seem less important to us–it’s the little things that often count so much! Thanks for the great reminder! Blessings!
Kristi says
Love this story! Such a beautiful reflection of your heart. I can’t wait to see how He blesses your obedience of His nudge. The best gifts are ones given out of pure love. Thanks for sharing!!
Betty Draper says
Years ago I was given my Grandma”s iron bed along with a wooden chest which has been stored for years as we served over seas. Six months ago age and health related issue brought us home to serve stateside.
Thrifts store, yard sales, generous friends will save tons of money it cost to ship furniture and many items to California from Kentucky. I only wish I had thought about something like you gave your furniture to, As our friend truck pulled away filled with the bed and other things a freedom came into my heart where only a struggle was before. I do not need a bed and chest to remember my Grandmother, mother, uncles, and brothers.
At 65 we want to give what years are left to people. So it was encouraging to read your post. The one things that overwhelms an over seas missionary when they come home is the amount of “stuff” people have stuffed in some kind of storage, not being used at all. It is a courageous wise hearted woman to do what you have done. I pray souls will come to know the King of the best piece of furniture there is, a throne. Blessing my sister.
Shelley says
I struggle with this as well but in a bit of a different way. I have bins of things that were my moms (who was killed in a car accident 10 years ago). When I look at them I reflect but do I actually need to hang onto them to remember and reflect on Her? Maybe some of these things are things that may bring joy to others as well. Like porcelain dolls from her collection. I have four boys who are not going to be very interested in those. This as well as been something on my mind for some time. You certainly have me thinking but I’m still scared to let go.
Betty Draper says
Shelly I too had a struggle and I am not sure why…did I think I was being disloyal to my family members? Still do not have concrete answer to the “why” of the struggle. Let me know what insight God gives you.
Stephanie Bryant says
I realized after I gave the bedroom suit that the memories I cherished weren’t dependent on having the bed. The bed was only a visible reminder of what I still possess in my mind and heart. After I gave the bed, I had more happy memories to add to the ones I already had. But I truly believe it’s God’s timing for you and whoever needs the item(s). He’ll make it clear.
Leah says
This is a beautiful story and a wonderful gift. The beauty is behind the sacrifice that you made and the obedience that you had in following through with your prayer. I pray that God will use me in these small yet significant ways in the upcoming months as well. Thank you for sharing this story.
Zelda says
I read this for the first time last month and tucked it away in my inbox. Today my husband held a garage sale and practically gifted everything away. Over the years I have become used to not holding on to things that are not being used, and I get such joy at watching someone else walk away with something I loved to wear or carry around and they are so happy they will own it now. My husbands love for having garage sales twice a year forces me to let go and gift – hands wide open. I always hear God’s voice in the background telling me that none of it matters except holding on to Him.
So here I am cleaning out emails I had tucked away in my inbox and I came across your post that was posted one month ago to the date, and I wonder what you think of “the canopy” now that you haven’t had it for 30 days.