Are you the one who people think is a little kookie? Have you been personality tested as an “otter”? Translation – floats on their back and plays in the water, kind of Happy-go-lucky, while the “beaver” is constantly working on building that dam.
Well that is me. I used to get the message that it meant I was less than others, probably like in that same personality test the “lion” felt mean while everyone loves a “golden retriever.”
God gave us personality traits, just as He placed gifts in each of us and they complement our personality traits so that we are perfectly formed to answer the call we were created for.
So no more comparing yourself to others and thinking less of yourself…and especially let’s not think too highly of ourselves. Simply give God thanks for how He formed you and molded your character.
Today I just wanted to share the JOY of my GIFT of SPONTANEITY!
I have been in the same home for 25 years and consequently as the years go by and we update rooms, we have ended up with a little too many chairs, pictures, lamps, etc. Not to mention that I was briefly a “Stager” which means once the house sells you have all of this furniture to store or put somewhere. I was also a decorator and this too championed my acquisition of home decor.
So when our subdivision holds its annual garage sale, my husband lets me know and I feel compelled to oblige.
It is so stressful to me. I set up tables in our garage and then start the purging process which for an “almost” hoarder can be difficult…I mean, I might need that lamp that I took out of the ceiling and replaced because I didn’t like it enough to leave it…I just might need it. Hopefully someone out there knows what I’m saying.
Then you have to price it all. Go to the bank and get your change and then be certain to be up and ready for the early birds on the day of the sale.
By noon things have wound down and the unfortunate truth is there is so much still left and now we have to load it up and take it to Goodwill. Usually it is at this time that I start having second thoughts about things that haven’t sold and put them back!
What has that to do with spontaneity? NOTHING. So on to my story…
I have Echo which is Amazon’s Artificial Intellegence component. Her name is Alexa. I am not too techy so I sort of use her as a very expensive radio. I say “Alexa” and she says “how can I help you” and I say ” play Pandora Christian Music” and she does.
So this weekend my kitchen filled with music that I love, that makes me dance and sing in worship as I was doing some laundry and dishes and making breakfast.
I can see out the front through my laundry room and I kept noticing cars going by. We live on a culdesac about 5 miles inside a subdivision so traffic is not normal. But it was early, like 7:30am. Then I remembered seeing a sign for our adjoining subdivision that was having a garage sale subdivision wide that day. These cars were going to the only place to turn around and get back out.
I had a garage filled with furniture and lamps and pictures, etc that were going to storage or goodwill and a few to my kids. It was on our schedule to take everything on Sunday afternoon.
Now here is the spontaneous part… I called to my husband and said let’s have a garage sale!
We opened the door and before we could get the first piece out, five cars stopped and people came rushing. They ran into our garage before we could even get things out. It was crazy.
I mean it kind of reminded me of the day after Christmas sales. We didn’t have balloons or a sign. We simply started putting some furniture on our driveway and we were swarmed for a solid hour.
I had some very nice pieces but I really needed them gone from my life so they could have new life in someone else’s home. Victorian Sofa $25, Victorian Chair $25, Hand-painted Sofa Table $25, Tiffany Lamps $5, books, pictures and other small decor items FREE. FREE Microwave, FREE Dress Form…we ran in the house and grabbed other things.
People were buying left and right and just couldn’t understand the word “FREE”, they truly seemed mystified.
We were having so much fun. I hadn’t even thought about change, but we weren’t selling too much so we were able to handle it.
My daughter and son-in-law were in town staying with us and he walked out and she walked out wondering why we wouldn’t have told them that we were doing this…and I told them it just happened.
I then brought out these gorgeous wooden floor candle sticks with the price tags still on them and told them they couldn’t take them back to the store, I could do that. But if they really wanted them instead of the marked price for both of $80 it would be $35.
The lady that bought them and took a few free items, took me aside to speak with me.
She said, “first, I’m not a prophetess but I am going to tell you that as much love that is bouncing off of you and your home, you are going to get that back. You think you are blessed now but “eye has not seen and ear has not heard what all that God has prepared for those who love Him” and “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord…” she continued, “you weren’t planning on having this sale today but I believe it was a divine appointment.”
We hugged and she left. Another lady standing there says “it certainly is precious when believers come together.”
So, my gift of spontaneity is actually something more. I believe that God is in the little things. He provides opportunities for us to act and they sometimes seem a little kookie to us. But if we are listening and know His voice and act on those opportunities we open doors to bless others as well as be blessed ourselves.
I had an empty garage. Lots of people had new homes for my items and were thrilled and I received a word of blessing from a stranger.
What a wonder to be an Otter! I am grateful! Disclaimer: this is not meant to diss a Beaver who may look at you and wonder what has come over you…I forgot to tell you my husband is a beaver. But he joined in following my lead and supported my crazy hour of unplanned fun.
Oh and we made $180! Woohoo!
Any other otters out there? Would love to hear if you can relate!
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