Visiting a shop and tearoom where the interests of others are at the forefront

This week I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a little gem of a shop in The Cotswolds.

Since the launch of my book I have come into contact a host of people with whom I might not otherwise have crossed paths, from bookshop workers to readers.

Among them were Jennie and the team at Shalom The Rainbow Shop in Bourton-on-the-Water. And the story behind the project, along with my experience of dealing with Jennie, showed that there was something special about this little corner of the Cotswold village.

So, when Gary and I had an unexpected free day in the south of the country, we jumped at the chance of taking a trip to visit the place ourselves. And we weren’t disappointed.

This shop is a wonderful example of what can be done when we are take up the challenges God places on our lives to serve His kingdom. From the hundreds of books and gifts in the main building, to the space across the road which houses extra stock, the shop is an Aladdin’s cave of Bible-based treasures, with something for just about every person and occasion.

And the cafe area, which serves everything from tea and cake to scrambled egg on toast, serves refreshments in exchange for donations to charity, providing a haven of hospitality that mirrors the Bible’s teachings about sharing resources and giving food to others.

From its inception the shop has had God at its centre and it is clear that God has been behind it, rewarding Jennie and the team with success for their faithfulness, every step of the way. And it has been a pleasure to get just a glimpse of the work being done their, through discussions with Jennie since it began stocking my book, to visiting and seeing the shop for myself.

The Bible, in Philippians chapter 2, verse 4, tells us, “Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.” Shalom The Rainbow Shop is evidently focused on the interests of others, and if you’re ever passing it’s well worth dropping in to see for yourself and find out more about this precious, God-centred gem, which is not only serving God in its own right, but is helping to facilitate me and other writers in our efforts to serve Him too.

Sarah Moore is the author of For the Love of Lentil, A journey of longing, loss and abundant grace, which tells the story of her experience of pregnancy and miscarriage. Copies of the book are available here.