Stolen Jewelry and a Stubbed Toe

It was a typical Wednesday at the Vincentian Family Center -- laughing with volunteers, helping shoppers find treasures, and watching joy unfold in unexpected places.

Whether someone came looking for a bargain or just curiosity brought them in, one thing was certain: needs were being met, and hearts were being lifted.

Where else can you find quality items at 50% off retail and still leave feeling rich in spirit?

But even in places of goodness -- where generosity and grace flow freely -- the enemy doesn’t take the day off.

I checked the earrings stand and found several empty earring tags – without the earrings placed there. In another area where hair clips and bandos are in plastic bags – we found the bags remaining but no contents. Stolen. Just like that. Ugh!

We’ll often go to the rest room and find old clothes on the floor. Old clothes were traded for new clothes.

A few hours later, my feet were aching, so I slipped off my shoes and into my open-toed slippers. Ahhh… comfort at last! That lasted five minutes. I stubbed my fourth toe so hard I thought it might need its own prayer chain. By the way – it’s still bruised!

Here’s the thing -- whether it’s stolen jewelry, stolen peace, or bruised toes (and pride) – we can often find ourselves limping. We know this. “The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy.” (John 10:10) He’ll use distraction, discomfort, even disappointment to chip away at our joy. He is such a loser!

Good News! Jesus doesn’t leave us in misery or forgotten or taken advantage of. He amps up the love and opens His arms to our embrace.

The last part of John 10:10 are Jesus’ words. He said, “I have come that they may have life (He means you and me), and have it more abundantly.”

Abundant life isn't the absence of loss or bruises -- it's the presence of Jesus in the middle of it.

It’s finding joy where we serve.
It’s watching someone’s eyes light up over a jacket they didn’t know they needed.
It’s volunteers giving joy freely to others and hearts being refilled as fast as the shelves.
Yes, there are days when toes ache and treasures go missing.
But even then -- we remember: “The enemy steals, but Jesus restores.”

And that abundant life? It’s not just promised. It’s happening -- one soul, one sale, one smile at a time.

Even in a thrift store aisle, His love shows up in the most ordinary moments and whispers, “You are part of My redemption story!”