With all that’s going on in the world, it’s hard not to feel worried and anxious. Our very earth is broken.
Donation calls are slightly down and I find myself wondering if this is the beginning of the end for Ashley Furniture. March – historically – is our slowest month for donations, yet each March I'm fearful. Though I know people will begin spring cleaning in the next couple of weeks and Dan and Chris (the two wonderful Outreach employees who drive the Ashley Furniture truck and make donation pickups) will be crazy busy, I find myself thinking, “Well, maybe THIS year the calls won’t come in.” My typical response to these thoughts is to work harder. We need to make our need for quality used furniture known to more people – contact area churches and have them put a blurb in their Sunday bulletin, rent a billboard (I actually did call a billboard company about possibly doing this), get a write-up in a local publication…
None of these things – in and of themselves – is bad or wrong. But if I’m doing them with a worried and fearful heart – if my anxiety continues to worsen – then there’s something off. My feelings aren’t wrong, feelings are God-given and important indicators for us. Yet, how I respond to those feelings could be wrong. You know what I mean?
So, though I admit to being a little worried about our inventory, I choose to believe that God is in control and He is a loving, good God – and because His ways are not our ways – and I will never understand things like earthquakes and tsunamis – yet I will not fear.
Now that you probably think there are about seven pieces of furniture in the store – when the truth is we have tons – let’s take a look at some of the new-to-us things we received this week.
great neutral color on these pieces by Bauhaus – top photo is a sofa which is priced $125; matching love seat $95
these Clayton Marcus pieces are a gorgeous shade of blue (one of my favorite colors along with sunny yellow) – the sofa is a sleeper and is priced $80; the matching chair and ottoman are $65 and both the sofa and chair have some places where the fabric threads have come unraveled and there’s the beginning of a tear (otherwise I would have priced them a good $100 higher)
great Bauhaus chair for $85
okay – let me explain these photos – the color of the fabric of this chair and sofa are somewhere between the dark photo (taken without a flash) and the brighter photo (taken with a flash) – it’s a deep blue, very nice, somewhat masculine. The manufacturer is Hillcraft and the chair is priced $115; matching sofa for $165
gorgeous floral wingback/recliner for $135
this Ashley sofa has great nail-head trim and the seat and back cushions flip over and the whole thing becomes a solid color (just like the arms) and is in excellent condition and is priced $195; the Ashley love seat has the same reversible cushions and is priced $165
this is an a-may-zing small loveseat by Paul Robert and is priced $295 (look at the detail – love!)
two great, retro wing back chairs priced $50 each (clean ‘em and you’re so good to go!)
great colors on this plaid (you know I heart plaid) Vanguard sofa with extra firm cushions for $95
this is probably my favorite piece this week – this is an old, fabulous settee in great condition – note is sits lower to the floor than a normal sofa – and it’s priced $395
wonderful vintage rocker by Hitchcock for $125
two gorgeous old oak chairs for $30 each
two piece dresser and hutch – remove hutch and add a changing pad and you have a changing table! Priced $95; wicker corner hamper for $20
oh wait, I forgot about this fabulous piece – which might be my favorite! – it’s a 7’ tall, one piece, old kitchen hutch priced $345
Bombay Co. stool for $40
wonderful small bench for $55
You know me well enough to know I would never shove scripture down your throat – so I share the following verse simply so you can understand where I find my strength in the face of large horrific things, like what’s going on in Japan right now – and - in small hard things, like fewer donation calls:
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
And if you, dear reader, have any gently, used, quality furniture you want to get rid of (or know some else who does), please call me or Dan at (630) 337-1467 and we’ll gladly come to your house and get ‘em! All donations are tax deducible.
Remember too our hours are Fridays 1 to 8 and Saturdays from 9 to 4!
God’s peace and much love!
Comments "My hope is in…more donations?"
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