The Embassy Community Liaison Office in Beijing planned a special shopping bus trip to some highly recommended furniture shops in Beijing. The trip was scheduled for Sunday when we normally attend Church. Susan was in a dilemma. She was invited by her close friend, and this was a chance to spend the day with her and go shopping. We didn’t want to miss Church, but I was on telephone standby for work anyway, so she decided to go.
There are places all over Beijing which sell beautiful furniture and Susan had been to a town that is well-known for making furniture, but she didn’t know how to identify good quality pieces or what is a fair price. Foreigners are often quoted ridiculous prices; in the hope the gullible ones won’t try to bargain. Susan is great at bargaining, but also has a soft heart if the vendor seems needy. She bought a cabinet for what she believed was a good price and so far, it hasn’t cracked in the dry heat of our apartment. Another great purchase was a wooden fan that she got at a good price, but the stand warped within a month and wound up in the trash. The bus trip was a great opportunity to see some “heirloom quality” furniture, while getting both translation and quality assurance help.
We don’t mind paying a lot of money for something we like and know it will last. Like most people, we envision leaving precious treasures to our family, who will cherish both the items and the memories that come with them. Reality might be different, but we won’t be around, so it doesn’t really matter. After all, these “family heirlooms” won’t last forever.
I would love to see that busload of anxious shoppers take a different trip to find their heirlooms. From personal experience, I can highly recommend the vendor and the quality is guaranteed. The price the vendor paid was extremely high, but we will get a “special price.” These precious treasures will last forever and when handed down to our family will be cherished along with the memories that come with them. The only problem is that our heirs must accept these precious gifts, like we did.
These heirlooms are the gifts of salvation and a victorious life through the HOLY SPIRIT. The vendor is GOD and even though JESUS died on the cross for our salvation, it is offered as a free gift so that “whosoever believeth is Him shall not perish.” The HOLY SPIRIT is our comforter and gives us overcoming power in this life. Oh, what precious “heirlooms” to pass on to our family if they will only accept them!
Wayne Lance (2015) – That’s Good News to Share!