I woke up Sunday morning feeling like I’d been run over by a truck – but a pretty vintage one at least – think baby blue Chevy with a spare tire on the side like my great-grandfather used to own… or the refashioned turquoise trailer seen here selling soap across the way the day before…
Family and friends {new and old} blessed us beyond measure at the show last Saturday.
I’m humbled, thankful and so enjoyed seeing you all!
{Even if I was a bit bossy or squirrel-ly at times…}
To those who prayed, encouraged and came offering emotional support {which resembled sweeping my floor, holding my hand and the other end of the tables} in the eleventh hour, when my fretting over the trappings of display and design threatened to unravel me, I’m also grateful.
{T-12 hours and this was the scene above… hard to tell where my dining area begins and my mock booth set-up ends… seems this vintage venture is a natural overflow for me… And somehow that overflow fit in the back of our SUV… along with a tent and two people?!}
In the light of day, things looked much better… as they always do.
A week past all the days of re-purposing, re-arranging and re-styling one would think I’d be relaxing.
Instead, I’m reeling with questions…
Should I look for another show?
Or host my own?
Keep collecting and creating, listing the smalls on Etsy? Or eBay?
Work what didn’t sell into my own decor? (I’d be fibbing if I said there were a few things I was sort of glad didn’t go to good homes just yet…!)
Or run a little “virtual” fancy flea market sale through Instagram?
Like the squirrel who’s easily swayed by pretty and shiny objects, when I have too many choices and no clear goal, I get twitchy – darting around in the fall leaves hunting for the next acorn and then wondering where I’m going to store them all…
God wants us to act according to His mind. We are not to ignore the Shepherd’s personal voice but, like Paul and his companions at Troas, we are to listen to all the voices that speak and “gather” from all the circumstances, as they did, the full mind of the Lord.
–Dr. Simpson
The Lord calls us to be still and know- easier said than done because just when I settle into being still, I find myself dying to know all the details.
And when I feel like I don’t know what the plan is, I’m the worst at being still.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under Heaven. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1
Many folks asked if I had a shop or did this full time.
Though, my heart yearned to say yes, it isn’t what God has in mind right now. After varied exchanges with so many nice people, one sweet lady left me with this gracious comment, “You have a lovely ministry.”
I thanked her and she walked away smiling while I stood squinting not able to grasp how that could be true.
Isn’t ministry writing, speaking or preaching to the masses? Heading a non-profit? Teaching Sunday School? Running a mission?
Not merely peddling rescued and re-purposed treasures – an overflow of ideas from a collection gone haywire.
But then this line floated to mind:
Ministry is overflow.
And it just so happens that one way to define ministry is, “a person or thing through which something is accomplished”.
In one sense, I was sharing a surplus of items.
In another, I was meant to overflow with light and love – through being filled with the Spirit and fed by the Word – God’s unique way of ministering to others through me.
Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. ~ 1 Peter 4:11
No matter what setting, line of work or season we labor in, our most important ministry is to share an uplifting word and a positive attitude.
I realized something amazing this summer when I sold my first carton of eggs to a stranger who happened to stop by because of the sign in our yard. When you sell something to another person – in this case, eggs – you’re in some small way, entering into their life. The woman who stopped by took my eggs into her home, put them in her refrigerator and they became part of her meal planning and dinner, lunch or breakfast. A product of mine became part of her life and I don’t even know her name. The same goes for writing a book, I guess, or selling flowers, each product offers a chance to impact someone else’s life. ~ Kelly @AFieldofWildFlowers
And so a great big THANK YOU for letting me enter your life in all these virtual {and real life} ways.
Are you eager to get started living the life you were designed for?
When we seek God and don’t worry, trust Him and do the next thing, He often shows up with just the right plans.
♥
Wherever He leads next or has me linger I hope you treasured friends will savor the season with me. It’s my pleasure to create connection, community and sometimes cute stuff just for you- Click right here to find out more and to get your set of printable scripture cards! Can’t wait to see you soon in your inbox.
Linking up with these lovely blogs below!
recollecteddesign.com 
Or… a designing ministry. Ministry is spillage and you spilled right out of your dining room into others’ homes! Fabulous. Now we are to rest in between. Somehow. I rested most of Monday and skipped WBS this am becasue of prepping for tomorrow – that’s sort of a rest. I made tuna noodle casserole for my man-in-plaid and hope to zoom out of here in 45 min…or so. (: I’ll pray you’ll know which route to go. First, rest. (Mom.)
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Ooooh I like that alternate title…! YES I think you were who said that first somewhere and it stuck with me! I’m so guilty of running ahead instead of resting– I will do my best to honor your wishes….! AND too funny- my mama made tuna noodle cass. this past weekend… a vintage favorite in my childhood home! Blessings on you dear friend as you go forth to minister this weekend! ♥ xx
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Oh yes, you do have a lovely ministry! I love that someone said that to you.. ministry doesn’t have to look traditional in the fact I love that is is not, and you have more open doors to you, becasue of your designing than those of us in full time ministry in a church. I love to paint and create things, it is my way of recharging, refueling, and refreshing myself after particularly long stretches of ministry. Thanks so much for sharing at #ImpartingGrace today, we are neighbors.
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Hey Miss Debbie! I thoroughly enjoyed your Vlog earlier in the week and have been praying over your 4 R’s! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment! God is so good to meet us where we’re at and make us a ministry in so many different ways! Glad we can share our creativity virtually and so happy to have ‘met’ you! Have a blessed weekend!
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I loved entering into your prep time, thought process and actual day of sale — what a virtual little treat!! Reading your words, I was struck that we all wonder if we should be doing something MORE, something greater, something worthy, when really God only asks that whatever we do, we do with all our hearts. I think with everything we see around us today, we get the impression that the world is overflowing with art and lettering and talents that are so much better than ours are, but we are connected to those in our circle of life and that is who God asks us to minister to in any way we can. Heather, I just savored this post and though I have no particular answers to the questions running around inside of your head 🙂 I think you are most definitely right where God wants you to be, moving forward, ministering, shining, glowing in all that you do!! xo
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Awww… your comment is so sweet Valerie! I’m glad you got to come along to the show virtually too! (Still have that job opening for you whenever you’re ready! haha!) It’s easy to fall into that comparison trap isn’t it? And be deceived by thinking we’re not doing enough- but all God asks is that we’re obedient right where we are with what we have and with all our heart…♥ Happy weekend dear friend. xo
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I loved this, Heather! You are so talented and what a lovely trove of treasures that you are repurposing here! If you decide to sell via online I do want to know though…I eyeballed some things there LOL. I actually have a handful of buckets similar to the ones shone. I have a thing for galvanized metal or anything industrial that I can mix in with the farmhouse/lodge eclectic look I am shooting for. I agree about giving a piece of your heart away to another when you give or sell. I do think of you every time I see or wear my key necklace that you made. It is super special and reminds me to pray for you too!
I love Kelly’s quote and yours: “The Lord calls us to be still and know- easier said than done because just when I settle into being still, I find myself dying to know all the details.” -Because yes and amen!!!
Prayers as God guides you into what He has for you, and no matter what it is I am glad you continue to write and share here -to let us be a part of your life and bless each other! xoxoxo
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Hey Girl!! Thanks for your gracious comment– I’m glad you love that necklace and I certainly will keep you posted should a virtual sale venue pop-up! Those galv. buckets were holding a mess of scrabble tiles (you know how I love words..) and I still had a gentleman want to buy them- so it seems your right in style! Industrial vintage farmhouse would probably be our ideal style don’t ya think? So glad we get to be a part of each others ventures and ministries virtually! Happy weekend Meg! ♥ And thanks for your prayers!
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Haha that’s too cool. I sewed scrabble ornaments one year for an Etsy shop, with scrabble fabric. Stuffed them to make them plus and sold as “initials” for personalization. Yes I think that style pretty much sums it up lol! I am so thankful for you, friend. Blessings!
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“The Lord calls us to be still and know- easier said than done because just when I settle into being still, I find myself dying to know all the details.” This sounds like me, too, but it’s often when we get quiet and still that we can discern his leading. And this is so true “When we seek God and don’t worry, trust Him and do the next thing, He often shows up with just the right plans.” Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #FreshMarketFriday!
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Thanks for popping over to say hi Miss Gayl! ♥ Sounds like we’re both in the pursuit of stillness! xo God bless!
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Heather I am so glad that you introduced yourself over at my site today. I wanted to come over and “meet” you as well. I loved reading about the revelation that God gave you through the words of the woman you mentioned. He wants to use us for His glory right where He has us.Continue to seek Him and He will grant you wisdom for the direction you should take with your ministry. Thank you for sharing your heart here today. Have a fantastic weekend and may God richly bless you and yours.
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Horace the pleasure was all mine! Thanks for stopping by and for your uplifting comment ♥ God bless you sir!
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Oh Heather … these are the moments when I’d love to shrink the miles … it would have been the greatest fun to be there and celebrate with you. And oh … all those treasures!
Fabulous!
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Yes what fun all we gals around here could have had together! xx Hope you are well!!
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Wowsa! This post resonated with me on SO many levels! “Ministry is overflow.” WOW!! And what an honor and a privelege it is that people allow me to enter their lives – through my written and spoken words and handcrafts items and even my simple presence with them. A privelege and a great responsibility! And, I, too am often a little relieved when a favorite creation doesn’t sell right away and I get to enjoy it a little longer!
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Aww Liz, so happy to read your sweet comment! And yes- that’s the blessing and curse of being creative– sometimes it’s hard to part with stuff! Hope your crafting is going well? ♥
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