There’s nothing that can bring a spring to my step like yard sale season. Knowing that Saturday mornings are host to my own personal beauty-chasing is all I need to stumble out of my early morning slumber.
We can tell a lot about someone from the stuff they’re selling. While I love the thrill of the hunt, I’m even more interested in understanding a person’s stories. With an open invite to someone’s garage or front lawn, I discover tables that hold scattered memories. Because hosts aren’t scrambling away from social interaction like they might on an ordinary day, I’ve shared rare moments with dozens of strangers in the middle of their driveway.
When we offer a genuine smile, ask caring questions, and extend welcome and kindness, it’s counter-cultural in this society. The recipient may be a stranger to us, but not to God.
In visiting yard sales, I’ve met a young mom teary eyed about her baby heading to kindergarten, but ready to mark the moment by selling her crib, a widow parting with her husband’s camping gear, and an empty nester whose identity was wrapped up in years of parenting but is now ready to create a guest room.
I’ve pondered why they’ve felt freedom to share pieces of their heart during a seemingly quick, ordinary interaction with a stranger. I think it’s because it’s rare to find somone eager to listen; it’s rare to feel heard and acklowledged.
In studying the life of Christ and His everyday interactions, I’ve witnessed His profound storytelling through parables that lead us to the truth of salvation and revelation of His kingdom. But I’ve also watched His mastery at making short, significant conversations matter.
Did you know that the average length of Jesus’ conversations as recorded in the Gospels was only 42 seconds long? If you’ve ever felt insecure about having spiritual conversations, let Jesus’s brevity be an encouragement. When we fear our inadequacy in word choice or dread long conversations, model after Jesus. He loved short, intentional interactions. Nothing too fancy for Him.
If we don’t overthink, over analyze, and overcomplicate spiritual conversations, our natural, everyday exchanges can give way to the supernatural. When we choose an open-handed, no-fuss approach, a non-believer can freely explore their spiritual curiosity with us.
I once heard, “We must learn to find the back door to people’s hearts because the front door is heavily guarded.”
In today’s combative culture, most people default to a defensive, “Us vs. Them” stance — spend five minutes on social media, and you’ll see it. Christians from all sides have earned their share of disagreeable labels.
I stand firmly on biblical orthodoxy, rooted in the truth that we are all sinners and that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. But I also recognize that this statement can confuse or offend some, often because of their past experiences. That’s why, while I never retreat from Gospel-centered truth, my goal is to create a space where real conversations can unfold naturally.
Pointing people to Christ’s life-changing work on the cross is my deepest desire, but not with an agenda. I simply want to see people — truly see them — right where they are. So I ask myself, What’s their back door?
Colossians 4:5-6 says, “Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out” (The Message).
Yard sales are often access to someone’s “back door”. This Saturday was no different. As I trudged up the driveway, a booming voice confessed, “I’m making deals. I have too much stuff.” I empathized and admitted, “Don’t remind me. I shouldn’t be buying yours when I have plenty of my own to get rid of. Why do we do this to ourselves?” We swapped a few stories and chuckled over our shared struggle.
I couldn’t help but notice his stunning spring flowers and commended him on his hard work. He offered a few gardening tips while we lamented about the deluge of rain.
“This conversation reminds me about something I read in the Bible,” I told my new friend. “God gives us kindness with the rain so we can now enjoy your beautiful flowers. And don’t get me started on weeds. I’m the worst about getting them out of my garden and my life,” I added, while he shared in my chuckle.
“I haven’t thought about weeds like that before,” the man replied. His wife walked over and I assured her we were busy solving the world’s problem. “It started with all our stuff, merged into gardening, and now onto life.”
Since I’d come with kindness and no agenda, divine dialogue flowed freely while we chatted more about life’s weeds.
I don’t have the gift of evangelism. I never spouted out the “4 spiritual laws,” but I was an active listener. I noticed interests, lamented in shared struggles, asked questions about family (via items I saw on their tables), and encouraged them. Intentional conversations like this seem awkward at first, but they soon become part of our muscle memory. As we see the world through Jesus’s lens, we’re moved to act in obedience and intentionality.
I left the sale not only as the proud owner of a gentleman’s favorite, albeit a bit rusty, gardening tool, but with a special connection with strangers. They were left with a very unique garage sale conversation to ponder and an invitation for coffee.
Oh, the people we meet and the connections that abound when we shine a spotlight on the goodness of God. I can’t get over it.
Has He changed your life? Who might you tell?
Oh Jen! We used to say our Dad could talk to a brick wall. We learned you either walked behind him to not lose him in his fits & starts of conversations from point A to the car. The other alternative was to just go wait in the car & learn to be patient. He was warm, welcoming & observant of those around him & he rarely missed an opportunity to be kind & encouraging along his way. Frustrations over being late to our next destination was common as we prodded him along or impatiently waited on him. But your post gives me a whole new perspective on what was really going on! May I become more like my earthly Daddy as I become more & more like my heavenly Abba! Blessings (((0)))
This is so good! I certainly never thought of garage sales like this before, but you’re right- what a good opportunity to engage, even for an introvert.. Jesus usually engaged with questions. He was genuinely interested in people. Thank you for sharing this. I will keep this one and try to learn from it. So encouraging.
Jen,
I absolutely love garage sales too! But I only attend them once a year with my daughter when her neighborhood has a huge garage sale. Like you, I have too much stuff and I can’t control myself in a garage sale. But unlike you, I could become a better listener. I do try to offer genuine compliments everywhere. I go just to brighten people’s days. It’s amazing when I open my eyes how many genuine compliments come to mind that I can share.
Sending you spring joy,
Lisa Wilt
Dear Jen…………….Your story was very delightful today. I must say that the area where I live is so very different that most other places. Our town has been here for generations and it has never changed. As an example, a main highway that goes right through the center of our town is so narrow that we really need to be very careful if a large truck is in the other lane. People here have lived here for generations and one generation will pass on, but the people in that house will stay and this goes on and on until there is nobody left. It is just an extremely tight knit community. One of the things we must always remember is ” never talk about religion or politics ” to any one but our family. This has continued as most all people in this town go to church and for a small town, there are many churches. I moved here to this facility 15 months ago due to my husband’s violent dementia and he almost killed me, as he was also a heavy drinker which caused ” dementia rages ” which I endured 3+ years of abuse every single night. Your story about the yard sales was very interesting and I was not allowed to go to them because it required permission from my husband and he would never allow me to do anything which back all those years to go to work and make money. It’s Friday and as I am totally alone now, I will pray alot . I have placed my very serious situations at Jesus’s feet and our Lord, but sometimes the wait which is now 6 years seems like forever. I wish you a blessed weekend and Spring is almost here so I think that will help those of us that live here ( over 100 people ) to feel more positive and a bit happier. Thank you for your words…………………..Betsy Basile
This was an absolutely beautiful devotional. I could almost feel the natural flow of the conversation you had with the gentleman at the yard sale. I feel the same way about evangelism, and start by making connections with people over common interests. The Holy Spirit is always kind enough to guide the conversation in a way that allows me to share my faith.
Jen,
I love garage sales. May not buy much, but enjoy driving around & talking with people. My church usually has a garage sale once a year. I do my best to invite people over. We have one lady who is like you. She will talk to you & then bring the conversation to Jesus. Trying to be more like her.
Blessings 🙂