My Happy Place!

One of my favorite things to do is to go thrifting - not just to any old thrift store.  There is a thrift store near our house that is a non-profit, Christian charity-based thrift store.  We donate there often but I go inside every week and check out what they have that's new.  I call it my "happy place" because it's a place I like to go to just take my time, wander around and I find some really neat things there for not much money.   But the reason I keep going back, aside from convenience of location and a worthy cause, is that I have befriended many of the people who work there.  Most are retired and are supplementing their income with this job because they don't make enough in their retirement to be able to survive in this expensive area.  They are just lovely people and I enjoy spending time chatting with them each week.  They know my story and they love my kids and it's like getting together with good friends when I am there - and I don't have to make an appointment.   They are a weekly blessing to me!

Today I went to my favorite thrift store and chatted with one of the women who has worked there for 10+ years.  I asked how she was doing and she said "Not very good."  Her hours had been cut so she was down to working only 3 days a week which has a huge impact on her income and she is selling things that belonged to her mother because she needs the money.  She said she might lose her home.  The store has been mismanaged and she said they might have to close.   

I am grieved to hear that my friend is in such a difficult place.  I am sad that my happy place might have to close.  And I am concerned about the negative impact the closure of this store would have on the employees and on the community.  

This afternoon I was thinking about how great it would be if the Lord provided random people to slip some cash in an envelope and go to the thrift store to leave it for her to sustain her until she can figure out a more permanent solution and to encourage her in her faith.  I am not going to give any further details or information in this blog but would you pray with me that the Lord would intervene and save my friend from an uncertain future?  Ultimately,  her future is in heaven with our Lord but I pray she doesn't find herself without a home.