BATS, which is the thrift store in my town, was closed for eighteen months. People were disappointed not to have a place to bring their excess, or pick up must-haves. Plus, the whole social aspect was in hibernation for much too long. It is a gentle spot for running into both longtime and potential
friends.
There was a time when I often took a pack of small children to BATS, who were in my care during the post school hours. I gave them each a dollar, to buy their heart's desire. At least once, this turned out to be the same toy their mothers had surreptitiously dropped off that morning.
My grandparents were sojourners, better known as immigrants. Pop-pop boarded a boat from England in his teens, to build a life in America.
Our daughters, who never met him, did the same thing in the other direction when they were that age. They were made to feel like they belonged in France and Spain. My paternal grandparents arrived here from Sweden, and the new language was an obstacle they had to overcome. I am glad they did.
In the dedication for the new home for BATS, the pastor talked about how we are invited to welcome sojourners. The clientele for that place includes people of many
nationalities. It turns out that we have enough to share.
"If a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not mistreat them. But the stranger who dwells among you shall be as one born among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." -Leviticus 19:33-34
"With regard to sojourners, it is several times commanded in the Word not to make a distinction between the 'native of the land' and the sojourner sojourning with them. The reason why was that gentile nations from whom sojourners came are just as much received into heaven as those within the church are." -Secrets of Heaven 8013, Emanuel Swedenborg
