I live in New Orleans, LA, which is almost a year round sauna with maybe four days of winter, and had a sudden desire to buy a snow outfit. 2020 can do a lot of things, but it can’t take away my dreams. I heard Academy had a sale and browsed the website Thursday evening. My procrastination had me lose out on the deals because I kept debating whether I needed the items when the sale ended.

He who hesitates is lost.

I immediately went on eBay and haggled down a pair of snow pants that should arrive sometime this week. I went to the thrift store Saturday morning to continue my hunt for a new pair of everyday boots as mine are wearing out. I did not plan to buy the boots there, but I enjoy browsing all the trash to treasures in general.

As I’m browsing the shoes looking for a potential pair of boots, I spotted Merrell snow boots for $14.95. Of course, it had the only color tag that wasn’t 50% off, but for $15.00, I could have snow boots, which were cheaper than the $19.99 sale at Academy I missed. I took the boots down and carried them around the store with no expectations, killing time while evaluating my sanity.

Next, I walked by the coats. I love this particular thrift store because the clothing is color coordinated and you don’t feel completely overwhelmed by the disorder. It starts with red, and immediately I spotted this nice coat. It caught my eye because of how pretty it was, and on further inspection realized it seemed like a great jacket. It was heavy, looked weatherproof, and had a tag for $70. Practically, I did not need a coat like this, but it had a white tag, which meant it was 50% off according to the sign. I looked at the other jackets if there was something cheaper, but nothing was like that one. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“You don’t need a coat, Aimee.”
I left and continued walking around the store with my snow boots, but kept thinking of this coat. How could I pass up this deal??

I just found snow pants, walking around with snow boots, and a coat for $35. I ran back to the coat realizing it was mine. God was giving me a snow outfit for less than $100. I took it off the hanger and tried it on. Indeed there had to be something wrong with it? Why would someone get rid of what looked like a brand new, expensive coat?? I tried the zippers, analyzed everything, and even googled the brand.

I was struck that this was my coat and how suddenly things came together. I continued walking around the store with this jacket as if someone would realize the treasure I found and try to take the pile of gold from me. When I got to the register, the cashier and her coworker also commented on this find.
“That’s a nice jacket. You can tell because of how heavy it is!”

I’m not sure if they have to take inventory on certain items, but they wrote down the purchase in a notebook noting the tag price and that it was 50% off, and continued telling me how nice it was. They were excited, too.
“I know! I even googled it!” while looking to the side as if someone was going to tell me I couldn’t have it.
“And it’s expensive, huh!”

When I left I immediately texted my friend about the coat God gave me, and her voice text response was laughter and, “You live in the hottest city in the world. You just woke up one day and said, ‘You know what I need? Insulation.’ I was laughing so hard because it’s true. The thought of the snowsuit came to me and, in less than a week, I found one for under $100.

When I got home, I looked up the brand again for further inspection, and the website says it sells for $499! What?!?

I took a silly picture in my coat to send to my family, and when I put my hands in the pockets, I found the tag! I couldn’t believe it.

I went to the store browsing with no expectations and walked out with snow boots and a brand new coat (*and a book) for a little over $50!

I was in awe of this find the rest of the day, but I kept thinking of how I simply liked the jacket. The color caught my eye, but the potential value is what had me invested in it. It was the excellent quality I knew would last a long time, and I couldn’t find a better deal if I tried.

It’s easy to feel forgotten living in this world. It’s easy to feel as if we do not have value because we may be hidden and isolated and are in a waiting season that never seems to end. Nothing seems to ever work out and you’ll be in the same spot forever.

Then, one day, while you’re just hanging on a rack or living the hamster wheel life, someone suddenly spots you. Your light is what catches their eyes, but they soon realize the treasure you are and questions how no one else has noticed before. They understand the value you hold and are simply thankful you are theirs. God had to put other pieces together to make the whole outfit, and you were the final touch to the set He put together. You couldn’t have been there any other time because it was only then it all made sense.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30

He has made everything beautiful in its time. ❤