Tag Archives: teacups

Spotlight: Mission Thrift

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Hello again my beloveds! In addition to witnessing both a spectacular sunrise and delightful sunset (on the same day even!) this week, we had the unique experience of seeing the behind the scenes workings of our local thrift store. Now — ya’ll know I love a good thrift store find — so I was more than happy to sacrifice my one and only sleep in day to volunteer at our local thrift store.

The hubby and I have been looking for ways to get involved in our community and “get connected” since we moved, so when we heard our new church had made a connection with the Mission Thrift Store in town, the hubby declared: “Oh no… thrift store?! I guess we are going on Saturday morning?” He knows me well. Being the new kids on the block, we arrived at the front door to the store (of course, I knew where it was!) locked and sealed. As I chased the hubby around the back, trying to keep up with his faster-than-most-normal-people pace. We were greeted by two other volunteers from our local church and a host of others ready for the shift.

Our Local Mission Thrift store Photo via missionthrift.com

This particular location is quite large, occupying about three storefronts with numerous donations arriving in a steady stream of boxes and black garbage bags. We learned that donations are becoming harder and harder to sort out. The stores have to be very particular. Few electronics, safety checks, non smoker donations only, dirty or soiled or too much of a good thing isn’t accepted at the door. Once inside, the goods are piled high in bins, bags, shelving units, boxes, racks and whatever other nook and cranny you can find. The goods were everywhere!

The hubby’s muscles were put to work in sorting drop offs, and I went to clothing (which was a good thing because housewares are a weakness!). Clothes are sorted and re-sorted for quality control, sizing, pricing and whether or not the item is seasonal. Nothing is wasted, but not all your donations can be used. Our consumer society has made an abundance of “waste” and I am reminded again of how much “stuff” we really have. Even with the bulk of thrift stores and donation centres we have around us, there simply is too much stuff — and so the staff have to be picky. Many textiles are sent off to be recycled, which I suppose is still better than ending up in the landfill, but it did make me think about what I put in my own donation boxes.

If you look up the Mission Thrift store website, you’ll discover that most of its stores are volunteer driven. We met several on Saturday, including a young man doing his community hours and a few grey haired ladies filling in their free time meeting and greeting. Apparently, there is one lady whose sole job was washing dishes. I hope my hubby didn’t add to her duties, because I discovered him chit-chatting in the break room on more than one tour through! Think of her, next time you see that shining display of teacups on the shelf!!

Photo via Ludmila Schnaider

Our time there was all too short, but I wanted to give you a little spotlight on this Canadian company and its roots. Unlike similar thrift stores, Mission thrift is not for profit. According to their website:

“100% of Mission Thrift’s net proceeds go to support the joint ministries of BFM Foundation Canada and Bible League Canada. The funds are used to support our local community and provide programs that encourage literacy, empower women and provide a safe place for children to learn and grow.”

missionthriftstore.com

And so my muse this week has my mind muddled with contradictions… on one hand I am reminded of how much we are blessed. The hoarded back rooms gave me an all too clear reality check of things. Things we don’t need, things we crave and fall out of fashion or style and then are no longer worthy of our keeping. Having said that, we went home with several items we snatched up before they even hit the shelves. Are we hypocrites or good and frugal thrifters? The other thought is volunteering. Do we do it enough? We were told the store is struggling to find people (especially of the next generation) who are willing to give of their time. Have we not been called to serve? Are we too busy? Have we taught our children the benefits of working without pay? Much to contemplate.

I am considering going back — to help, I mean. Since I have been granted this season of unemployment since moving, I seem to have time on my hands at the moment. There are only so many boxes one can organize at home. Perhaps I can sort somebody else’s junk for a change. Even if I don’t get a chance to volunteer, my money will support their charity for sure! Even if it is just to appreciate some super clean tea cups lovingly washed by hand.

My Favourite Mug

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Anyone who knows me, or even if you’ve been following along in the blog for some time, will recognize that one of the ways I love to “chill” is with a good cuppa something. Usually a cup of something warm and soothing. Coffee starts my day and often placates it at the end. There’s nothing like a cup of hot chocolate after tobogganing. Now many of you will immediately say that tea calms your heart – and I would never disagree, although tea isn’t my first go-to (although I am learning to love good matcha…) Sit for a moment and just imagine it.

Now, continue to muse along with me about the vessel which holds your beverage. Do you have a favourite mug? Or a precious teacup that was given to you by your grandma or treasured friend? Or do you have a wacky character on your coffee mug that makes you smile after a grumpy day? We have a plethora of mugs in our cupboard. My late mother-in-law had a favourite one that “was not too big”, and I can’t bear to part with it. I like the ceramic ones that look like handmade pottery. They perfectly fit a large pod from my Keurig machine with just a dash of cream. The hubby likes a good-sized mug that could fit a small serving of breakfast cereal. I have a collection of beautiful teacups and have a soft spot for a good breakfast brunch — all fancy-like. Take a moment to think about what are the first ones out of the cupboards and into the dishwasher?

Realistically, cups, mugs and even glasses are pretty ordinary, everyday objects. We can use disposable ones and simply throw them away after a single use (although I don’t like to think that way…bring your reusables, people!) Still, where would we be without them? The great kings and queens had bejewelled goblets. The Vikings sloshed great steins in jovial celebration (usually after pillaging some poor village), and you and I continue to use a humble mug every morning. Because no matter the material or design, the cup has a purpose. It holds the liquid in. If it doesn’t fit the purpose, it overflows. Tiny teacups can only serve tiny portions. The Vikings wanted extra froth. I want a full coffee pod.

And so it is with us, my friends. How often have you thought of yourself as too ordinary or insignificant for a bigger purpose? Take a look at the variety of cups we have.  Some are beautiful yet fragile; some are sturdy yet plain; some are great for on the go yet not made to last forever. We are a lot like cups.  We come in a variety of sizes and designs.  We all have both our talents and our weaknesses.  We were not created to all be exactly the same. Still, all of us have a purpose. Let’s let our teacups remind us that we must continually be filled and poured out by God’s goodness and Holy spirit in order to be completely useful.

I know of two significant people in my life who can take a whole day to drink a morning coffee. It sits there, going cold, only to be found again about five o’clock after a full day of busyness. Or maybe your mugs get left sitting on the shelf, collecting dust in the curio cabinet. Or filled with candy or nuts and bolts or paperclips. Does anyone have those stained rings at the bottom of their cups? Are your mugs due for a good deep clean?

As Christians, we can find ourselves in some of these same places.  We may be filled to the brim and used to pour out the goodness of God.  Or we may be just sitting, looking good, but collecting dust.  We may have been filled, but then forgot about what God said about His plan. We’ve left that stagnant ring hanging around and we cling to the past. We are in need of a good cleaning.  Perhaps our lives may be so full of “other things,” that we can’t be filled with what’s best.

For a cup to be used, it must first be emptied, washed and then ready to be filled with the life-giving substance it was designed to hold. A cup can do nothing by itself, and neither can we. We need to be filled… often daily or hourly! Like our dishwashers – it’s a constant cycle of fill, empty, wash and fill again!

So tomorrow, or tonite, or as you sit and read this post, think about your favourite mug, and let it be a simple reminder to you that although ordinary, you, too, are special and purposeful in God’s big picture!

Check out my Pinterest boards for a cute teacup story that would go great at a tea party or a gift of a new favourite mug! Or check out the mittonmusings board for more posts about coffee and tea!