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As I strolled the sidewalk, I was amazed to see how many stores were vacant.

In one of the more secluded areas of the mall I saw a sign that read “Thrift Store.”

That piqued my interest. The store was a church affiliated entity. A sign on the door read, “Cash or local check only.” I decided to give the store a look.

Everything about the store had a modest quality about it. Shelves filled with odds and ends beckoned me to take a closer look. There were antique, tinted mason jars, China cups, odd pieces of cookware, and old record albums — nothing of particular interest to me on that day.

After a few minutes, my curiosity satisfied, I turned to leave the store.

That’s when I saw it. High on a shelf, in an oddly, out-of-the-way spot, it sat serenely. I stepped closer to get a better look. Matted and framed, in precise needle-pointed letters, it read, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” PS 19:14.

It was supported by a small wooden stand. I carefully took it down from the shelf to study its craftsmanship. The needlework was beautifully detailed; its green matting, slightly faded, but its gold frame had weathered time well. Its back was tightly sealed with aging, heavy brown paper. It was, in my estimation, a small masterpiece. Then, I noticed the price — $4.

“Four dollars,” I whispered to myself.

I found myself shaking my head. I was looking at a treasure and it only cost four dollars.

As I held the frame in my hands, and prized it for its great value, I perceived it had been fashioned my one of God’s children, a loving mother or grandmother many years before. My best guess was that instead of being passed down, it had been set aside. And it ended up in, of all places, a thrift store.

Once fashioned my loving hands; it now, after many years, had made its way back into loving hands … mine.

Sometimes, when I least expect it, God taps me on the shoulder and says, “Here, take a look at this.” This was one of those moments.

A few years ago I was making the drive from Charleston, South Carolina to Myrtle Beach on ���ӽ�APP Highway 17. As I cruised northward at a leisurely speed, I spied what had every appearance of an old country store on the right-hand side of the road. I did a quick double-take and looked closer. The sign on the front read, “Carolina Country Store.” That called for a u-turn!

I pulled up in front of the store facing south. As I approached the entrance, I read another sign posted inconspicuously on the screen door. It read:

“Shirt on and pants up or no service!”

I knew I was going to like this place.

Inside I found so many things which took me back to country stores of long ago — a creaky, oiled floor; ancient wooden shelves, signs advertising products of the past. And to my absolute delight, in the center of the store, I found an open-top drink cooler. Inside stood an army of Nehis, RCs, and Dr. Peppers, in original glass bottles, standing neck-deep in cold ice water. I could hardly believe my eyes!

I drew a cold, orange Nehi from among its frosty companions and headed to the counter. The proprietor rang it up on the cash register — $1.29 — worth every penny.

He handed me a flat bottle opener that was kept hidden under the register. I put it to good use.

Then, I took a long, cool swig from that orange Nehi. You remember a “swig” don’t you? Taking a swig is much better than taking a drink. When you take a swig, you take your time. I took my time.

And driving up Highway 17, I took a trip — back in time — to country stores of yesteryear. Another unexpected treasure — this one found in rural South Carolina.

It seems like treasures can be found everywhere. But you have to be looking for them.