Sunday, July 24, 2011

an oldie, but a goodie

The story behind this beauty is not very glamorous, but the road has led to my renewed love of sewing.

We started our business with a $50 sewing machine that I purchased to make a set of curtains for my children's playroom. Eight months later (as well as hundreds of chalkboard mats, bibs, burp cloths, blankets and coffee sleeves), the sputters of the machine became too much for me and we realized it was time to purchase a new machine. We decided to give our business to a small, local sewing store, as we have been increasingly recognizing the importance of supporting other local folks! We purchased a modest machine that seemed affordable and yet was able to meet our sewing need... and four days later- IT BROKE!! Yes, you read correctly- it broke!

I marched that machine right back into that local store ready to demand something... I wasn't really sure what I was going to demand, but I was ready to put up a fight! Twenty minutes later I walked out of the store with the owner's personal sewing machine in tow on loaner, only after he gave me a full lesson, loaner bobbins, and loaner replacement needles! And let me tell you- that old girl purrs!

From this situation that could have brought discouragement and anger, quite the opposite has happened-  I have renewed my love of sewing and been reminded of this verse:

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

14 comments:

  1. Excellent post. God does have mysterious ways sometimes but they are working in and on us....at all times. You ladies do great work! Keep it up...and I'm glad to hear you support local businesses when you can.

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  2. Love the story AND the photo of the singer!
    watercolorsNmore
    Roxanne

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  3. Great story, and I applaud you for buying from a local merchant!

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  4. How precious, this is not a story but the truth, God's truth...(smile)
    Thanks for sharing♥
    Monnika

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  5. grrrr, ready to fight...............nobody to fight with. It takes two.

    This sweet, generous, local business person just wants to have a satisfied customer who'll come back again and recommend his business to their friends.

    Job accomplished..........

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  6. I'm so glad it was resolved peacefully.

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  7. It really could not have been a better ending :) Although- I think I am going to have a hard time giving him back his lovely machine!

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  8. Good lesson in customer service -- Make it right via whatever means necessary!

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  9. Cute story! Yay Michelle! There's nothing like a good machine. I'm so much more productive when I don't have problems to deal with.

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  10. I love this story. Thanks so much for sharing. I love that God uses every situation to remind us of things or just to encourage us. Thanks again. Loved it.

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  11. Great story! My Mama had a machine just like that one...and bought it new. It is how we react that shows spiritual maturity. ;)

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  12. Oooooh, what an old beauty. I have an old industrial singer and she does sing. I love her to death. I heard your story about the machine already, but I didn't know the details about all the extra stuff you got with the loaner machine! What a blessing!!

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  13. Wow! So, he "killed you with kindness"!
    Disarmed you!
    That is a great lesson, and a great attitude he had; one of service and sacrifice.

    I guess they do not make 'em like they used to!

    Thanks for posting!

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