He came in a year ago, hung over and trying to stay sober for a day. He's been back every Monday for a year, checking in and celebrating each milestone: one week, three months, a year of sobriety.
One Monday Lynn stopped by to say hello and swab down our bathroom. "What's really amazing about this place," He said as he realized she regularly dropped in and emptied the trash or did some other chore, "is how people just give into it. Time, books, things...this is not really a business, it's more like a club."
For a fleeting moment I thought of a country club, the little fitness spas, and considered, Hmm....if everybody around here put in $30 a month....
The Word Shop is a club; more like the backyard tree house variety. It's an exclusive club because not everyone belongs, an inclusive club because everyone is welcome. Membership is gained by either giving or receiving; it doesn't much matter which. In an odd way those who receive the most by buying books from us, give the most because without their cash we wouldn't long be open. And those who give the most by taking a regular weekly volunteer shift, receive the most in the various pleasures the store has to offer.
It doesn't much matter if your hand is empty or full. What matters is that you reach out in the name of Jesus.
FUNNY TREASURES: A tiny old book, entitled FAIR THOUGHT AND SPEECH - A Letter To An Industrial Organization, caught my eye. I took it home last night and was thoroughly instructed by author Carl F. Braun in how to keep my words courteous and kind; a lesson any number of people can tell you I am in need of learning. Odd that this 1947 writing found access to my heart where all sorts of other attempts have failed. Perhaps it was the chapter entitled, "Don't Be A Worm," that provided appropriate balance. I'll pass this gem on to anyone who comes in for $3, and will ship it for $5.
CROSSING THE LINES: A book I have sold steadily over the last couple of years and that seems to be revelatory to both evangelical, pentecostal, and li turgical types is RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON, Henri Nouwen's meditation on a Rembrant Painting. It's $16 new. I imagine that if a used one came in, it wouldn't stay on the shelf longer than a week.
FEATURED AUTHOR: The two for one deal on all Swindoll books is soon to be taken down and exchanged for some other lucky writer. Check our web site. www.companyofsaints.com. Funny how sometimes people come in and clean out a particular author. Trent/Smalley and Andrew Murray were hard hit in the last couple of weeks.
WHY TO CAPER: All books on the Millennial Panic shelf will be sold two for the price of one. Just look at all the crisis you've already missed.
Blessings in Jesus, Alliee +