Free for the Taking
courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
I drove through my community last weekend on my way to a movie with a friend. I was surprised at all the garage and yard sales I saw lining the streets out to the thoroughfare.
Many items were priced for sale but there were also tables with signs that let shoppers know there was plenty of free stuff too. “Just take what you like and leave the rest.”
This reminded me of a slogan in a recovery group I attend. We’re encouraged to listen, look, learn and then take what works and leave the rest.
Sometimes in my hunt for a sale or a bargain or a discount, I overlook the free stuff that comes to me without any effort at all and it’s the kind that doesn’t take up any closet space or a shelf in my garage or a spot in a kitchen cabinet.
LOVE–free for the taking from God, from friends and family, even from strangers–when I pay attention.
FRIENDSHIP–free for the asking (and receiving) when I meet someone I’d like to get to know better.
PEACE–free for the taking when I choose a quiet place on a trail or along the shore where I often walk to clear my head.
OPPORTUNITY–free for the taking when I notice what needs doing and then do it, using the gifts of character that are God’s gift.
Free ‘stuff’ comes and goes, sparkles and then tarnishes, works well but then breaks and on and on. Eventually these items wear out and get tossed.
But the intangibles are forever free–for the taking and sharing.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5: 22-23)
Lovely, Karen. Thanks for the reminder that God has given us so much that enriches our lives without taking up space or money!
Thank you, Carol. I’m thinking a lot about this truth today and so grateful for it.
Love this! Thanks!
Thanks, Glenda. I hope all is well after your cataract surgery.
Amen! Thank you Karen. It is so important that we focus on all of those priceless intangibles instead of obtaining possessions. This is meaningful for me.
Thanks, Sandy. I’m living by this ‘code’ now and it feels so right.
One of your best! I see a free sunset almost every night and the free orchid blossoms on my potted plant, all the other flowers and blooming trees that we have in Orlando and all the green trees are so huge they seem to be reaching for the sky! I think some people feel that Florida is all Palm trees but I have never been in a town that has so many trees! On the long entrance to where we live there are no Palm trees but the boulevard is lined with trees in the center and on both sides of the streets. Now I know why Orlando is known as the beautiful city~and what I see is free!
Herb and I had a lot of garage sales and I always had a box of things like the Guideposts magazines that were “free”! I am glad to know they have free items where you live also!
Thanks for this gem! Love to you , Margaret
I appreciate your personal experience with free things, Margaret, especially in nature. God’s creation cannot be beat.
Oh man Karen. I love this. Such a great reminder. Thank you
Thanks, Heidi. I needed this reminder, as well.
Thank you for freely giving of your wisdom! I’ll receive these words!! Happy Tuesday Karen!
Thank you, Patti. It’s always great to hear from you. I’m glad you ‘received’ the message–one I can repeat to myself every day.
What a wonderful message, Karen. I want go focus on all the free things God gives me instead of worrying about rising costs. Your post is a great illustration for our fall series on the Fruit of the Spirit.
Thank you, Pam. I’m looking forward to the fall messages–right in line with all that I am learning and wanting to apply in my life.
I think that maybe God speaks to you like he does to me, through the natural. I’ve learned that all truth is parallel. For every natural truth, there is a corresponding and equal spiritual truth. I wrote a blog on a speed bump once. It’s funny how God talks to all of us. To one person, He’ll talk in one way and to someone else, another. You had some good insight as to what the Lord was trying to say to you personally and then you paid it forward through your wonderful blog. Thanks for sharing your insight and for listening to God. Have a great day and rest of the week. GB
Thank you for your kind words and support, Jim.