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Two recovering addicts will tell you right quick that they owe it all to Jesus.
Crystal and Aaron Taylor have come a long way from living with four kids in a tiny two-bedroom trailer. They credit their faith with walking them into better times. There's an old Gospel song, "I can't even walk without you holding my hand." That's their story.
They have sought guidance from The Holy Spirit every step of the way, out of addiction, into both business in their Bless This Mess store and into ministry through Abounding Grace Ministry in Rutherfordton.
These two enthusiastic, high-spirited folks embody the best that can happen when God is in the center of it.
And their Bless This Mess store is very attractive, interesting, well-stocked with antiques, collectibles, used clothing, shoes, and Aaron would emphasize "ball cards."
Since his daddy, Tommy Taylor, bought him his first bubble gum ball cards, he has been very, very serious about ball cards, and he sings high praise for his dad.
"He taught me a work ethic," and it really came in handy when he and Crystal had to convert the former wallpaper store in the Tri-City Mall. There was painting, dry wall, taking out a wall and hours and hours of clean up that included pressure washing the bricks in front of their storefront next to Roses and just past the Jerry Crump VA Clinic.
In the almost one year the store has been open, the buying public has been very supportive. The store has also provided Crystal some freedom to work for Abounding Grace, a ministry to women in prison, leaving prison and young women faced with abuse and tough choices.
Aaron wants all the stores in the mall to thrive. He has done some pressure washing for Joy's Bridal and occasionally wanders by Kershaw's Kreamery for their homemade ice cream.
The couple is also heavily involved with the toy shows at the mall and the fall festival coming up September 19 with a rain date of September 26.
"I like that people are coming back to the mall. When I was a kid, we would eat at Quincy's and then hit the mall," Aaron said.
The store is well laid out, attractive and unusual by almost anybody's standards. There's even a 50 percent off room.
Lots of color, magazine quality displays, even one wall of photos of famous people. It's hard to imagine any shopper with an eye for the unusual would not be pleased with the choices.
And there are lots and lots of ball cards.
The couple also helps with estate sales and clean out. Aaron can be reached at 828-829-9516.
Both of them still have people they know who are using illegal drugs.
"We talk with them. We urge them to wake up and give their lives to the Lord," Crystal said.
Just exactly what is for sale in the store? In addition to the list above, a number of local crafts people have their products there on consignment. There are handmade air fresheners, hypo-allergenic earrings and hand painted wall hangings.
It really is quite a store with quite a story.
"It's a one-stop shop for all kinds of stuff," Aaron said.
This is a story of recovery from drugs, a great store in the mall, and a passion for ministry.
Crystal said her burn is helping people. That sometimes shows up best in estate sales, but over the past six years she has worked with Kriss Landry at Abounding Grace. Both inside prison and after prison, she has been what the group calls a "discipleship mentor." Through prayer and Bible study the organization leads women to see themselves as children of God rather than victims of their crimes or their addictions.
Starting to study to become a licensed real estate broker, Crystal is cutting back on her work with Abounding Grace but will continue to volunteer and serve on the organization's board of directors.
B.C. and Sheila Deck have been big influences on the two of them. Many of the items in the store are from the Decks who once had an antique business on the other side of the mall. The Decks have taught the Taylors much. If it feels like a juggling act, it sometimes is, but time with the Taylors will convince anybody of their authentic joy in serving. Whether using them for an estate sale or a clean out or just providing them interesting merchandise, the Taylors are the real thing.
Their four children are Ethan, Evan, Holden and Macayala.
Crystal is a graduate of East Rutherford High School. Aaron also attended high school locally.
