Thrift store finds

About a decade ago now some friends introduced me to the world of thrift store shopping. Truthfully, I was a bit skeptical in that I usually like to know before going to the store what things I should be able to find. However, after a couple trips, I got hooked. There is something about going in and not knowing what exactly you will walk out with - even if you have a general idea of what you hope to find. The process of this type of shopping takes a bit longer than going to a regular store as you have to look deeply into everything. Now, not every trip did I find what I was hoping for, but 99% of the time I walked away with a new treasure. 

There are times when I enter into prayer with a list of things I hope to accomplish and questions I hope God will answer. But, the reality is prayer can be like entering a thrift store where you do not know exactly what you will find each time despite what you hope. Just like with this type of shopping, it takes time and looking around to find the treasures when we pray. I cannot expect to give God only 2 minutes and expect to walk away with dozens of gifts. We have to sift through the richness of Him and discover all the great things He has for each of us. More often I believe we find not what we had set out to find, but something better. A treasure that will carry with us for many years to come.

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God, sometimes I enter into prayer with my own list of hopes and things to find. I will put aside this list and spend time simply looking into your love, words through scripture, and enjoying my time with you. In your name, Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth