Shine Through Faith’s mission is more than just a store

Long read, but from my heart. 💗

The shopping side of Shine Through Faith has now been closed for one month. An entire month! 😣

It’s been stressful, but I wanted to share the “why” behind it.

Before there was ever a thrift store, there was a mission.

Shine Through Faith was created to help the elderly in our community stay independent and in their homes longer by connecting them with volunteers to help with things like lawn care, light household chores, lifting, small home repairs, car repairs, and simply reminding them they are loved.

When God first laid this ministry on my heart, He also told me I would open a pre-loved store to help fund it.

I laughed. 😂 I told Him, “No way! I don’t even thrift or go to yard sales!”

After a few weeks of wrestling with Him, I finally surrendered.

The store has become such a blessing, but it’s never been the mission—it has always been the tool that helps fund the mission.

Through having the store we have been able to see more needs than the original focus.

Because of this amazing community, we’ve been able to keep our blessing box stocked, provide free clothing to children, seniors, and families in need, give away medical supplies, Bibles and devotionals, help furnish homes for families recovering from emergencies or graduating from sobriety programs, provide Halloween costumes to kiddos and Christmas gifts for foster children last year, and so much more.

Lately, I’ve been praying for change because I don’t want Shine Through Faith to simply be known as “the thrift store.”

I want people to know it’s a place where they are loved, safe, seen, and never alone.

I’ve also been praying for more; a bigger building , volunteers to go out into the community and help in the store, more time for me to be able to be out in our community meeting needs, more time to handle the behind-the-scenes work during the day instead of late at night, and for greater financial stability so the ministry can continue to grow.

Many people don’t know that I was made to medically retire. I also have two young boys at home who still need their mama.

I spend six days a week at the store, and after I go home, many evenings are spent doing administrative work and planning for the ministry. Every hour put into Shine Through Faith is as a volunteer—I have never taken a paycheck. In fact, I personally pay hundreds of dollars each month to supplement the bills to help keep our building open. 

I don’t share that to complain. I share it because this season has been physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting. There have been days I’ve wondered how much longer I could keep going.

Then, at the end of May, God gave me very clear instructions to make some big changes.

So on June 9th, I temporarily closed shopping so I could begin putting those changes into place.

I honestly thought we’d only be closed for about two weeks.

Now it’s been four.

I’ll be honest…last week was hard.

I was exhausted, discouraged, hurting physically, and questioning everything.

Many times I found myself on my knees, ugly crying, asking God why He would ask me to do something if it was just going to fail.

His answer?

“It won’t fail. Trust Me. Don’t rush My timing.”

This week, He’s been reminding me over and over that He has everything under control.

While making these changes, volunteers have shown up exactly when I needed them. Even someone helping for 30 minutes has made a huge difference! 

A few generous people have given financially to help with rent/untilies while we’re closed.

Our blessing box has remained opened and stocked.

And I always see Him even in the smallest of things.

Yesterday a foster mama came in looking for clothes. I did not have much in the size needed, and by God’s perfect timing, another individual came in asking if I could use a donation in that exact size! Moments like that remind me that God is still leading every step.

I’m excited for everyone to see what’s coming next for Shine Through Faith. I truly believe these changes will allow us to serve our community even better and put the focus back where it belongs—on the mission, not just the store.

Thank you for your prayers, your patience, your encouragement, your donations, and every hour you’ve volunteered.

Please keep praying for Shine Through Faith. I truly believe God is writing the next chapter, and while I don’t know exactly what it will look like yet, I know He’s been faithful every step of the way—and I trust He isn’t finished yet.

With love,�Heather 💗