“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NLT)
I’m not a decorator by trade or training, and I am not a member of any touted decorator’s guild. But I do have a passion for decorating. And on top of that, I do possess some experience in decorating the entry ways and lobbies of two companies, decorating multiple conference rooms with unique themes, and decorating training rooms. I have consulted with a few people on staging their houses or home offices. As far as my interest in decorating, I just do it because I like to do it. Here is a secret for some. Some of you already know. Thrift shops are where I find some of my greatest bargains. “Design on a Dime” has nothing on me. Tuesday was no exception. I left the house on an explicit errand to take some mail to the local post office. However, for some reason my car seemed to want to make a quick stop at the thrift shop. Following the lead of my car, I went in a nearby thrift store looking for a couple of toddler toys to match some toddler stools as well as the adult décor in one of the downstairs rooms. I wanted the toys so my home would be more child friendly when my younger grandchildren or great-grandchildren would pay a visit. I found one nice educational toy and it had the perfect color. I headed to the checkout line, but on the way, I stopped to see if anyone had donated a certain color lampshade. I can’t blame the car this time. No luck finding the lampshade, but I did find a great buy! I found a yellow, ceramic lamp for the room I was making child friendly. Get this! The lamp was brand new, and it still had the retail store tag on it. On the tag it said, “Compare at $100.00” and “Our Price $49.99.” The thrift store tag said $14.99. Wow! Did I grab the find right away! Of course I did! What a find! And it gets better. When I check out, my cost for the educational toy was $2.99. The cost for the lamp, wait for it, wait for it…was $1.00! What a find!
I just had to share that news with you! Yet, I need to tell you that this was not the best decorator’s find I came across. The best find that this decorator came across cost me nothing! I did not have to pay anything for it! I did not have to work for it! It was something endurable and something that would outlast my life on this planet! There is more! It can be used to redesign anywhere that I find myself. What exactly was this decorator’s find? It was Jesus! Let me add on to it! It was salvation, given to me at no cost. It was free! And I tell you what! I’m so glad that I found Jesus! I’m so glad that I received the free gift of eternal life! I’m so glad that my decorator’s find was paid for me by my Savior on an old rugged cross! (Maybe I’m preaching now because all good preaching leads to the cross.) And I’m especially glad when people notice my find. I beam inwardly with joy! If I am not ashamed to tell you about my thrift store find, you know that I am not ashamed to tell you the good news of my best decorator’s find.
I hope you have come across the best decorator’s find ever. I’m pretty sure you have. Well, the, beam with joy! And when someone ask you why you are so glad, and someone will because you won’t be able to keep it to yourself, share with them about your best find ever! Share my story if you want a transitional, true tale that leads to witnessing. Now go start your day, looking good as the Lord guides you through the day! Go with great expectations, great hope, and great promise! Furthermore, pass this meditation on to someone who needs to redecorate their life, make it brand new, with Jesus! Be blessed!
“Yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins.” (Romans 3:24 The Living Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King