Faith and Mustard Seed: Nothing Will Be Impossible For You

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” Matthew 17:20

Matthew 17:20 is a foundation of Valerie Sheffield’s life that eventually led to the gift shop Faith and Mustard Seed at Moon Lake Campus. A trip to Mentone in 2016 to sell her gifts at Colorfest sparked Sheffield’s dream of creating a space filled with inspirational treasures reflecting her faith. She felt God’s presence here and was drawn to the town’s peace and beauty as though it were calling her home.

Even while living in Columbus, Mississippi, she made the trip back as often as she could, taking time to get to know Mentone and the people who make it special. In 2020, she and her husband, Timothy, bought land and built a home, keeping the dream of Faith and Mustard Seed in sight.

When she saw the advertisement for shop space in the former Moon Lake Elementary School, she inquired and chose the previous kindergarten space for her new shop. It was a fitting coincidence, she says, since one of her former businesses was a preschool learning center. After opening in 2021, she juggled life on the road while still running two businesses in Columbus until she sold them and settled into Mentone full time in 2025.

If you’ve ever wandered into a shop “just to look” and somehow left smiling (and maybe carrying a little something), Faith and Mustard Seed is that kind of place. Sheffield has a way of filling the shelves with small surprises — thoughtful gifts, gentle reminders, and faith-filled favorites that feel like they were waiting for you to find them.

Shoe Scripture

One of the surprises visitors enjoy is “Shoe Scripture.” Sheffield’s best-selling private-label item has a story that started in a particularly hard season in her life. To encourage herself with the Word, she began tucking handwritten Bible verses inside her shoes. In time, those quiet reminders turned into sturdy stickers she could share with others — tiny prompts that God is near and His Word is something to stand on. Getting the “stick-to-a-shoe” part right took some trial and error, but with help from a U.S.-based company, Shoe Scripture found its footing. Sheffield didn’t stop there. She decided the proceeds would help buy socks for homeless veterans, with each item sold covering the cost of one pair of Hanes socks. In February, she delivered 188 pairs to veterans in Chattanooga and plans to keep the effort going in the DeKalb County community. She’s quick to say credit for the success of this effort “belongs to the Father.”

While you’re in the shop, look up and you’ll see streams of ribbons hanging from the rafters. They are called “prayer ribbons,” a simple invitation for anyone who needs a little extra strength and encouragement from the Lord. Many of the ribbons carry stories of prayers lifted up and graciously answered, and Sheffield is happy to share those testimonies with customers as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Her hope is to one day fill the ceiling with prayer ribbons — each one a small sign of the mustard-seed faith she leans on day by day.

Sheffield shares that the business isn’t just about sales. One of the sweetest parts, she says, is getting to spend time with her customers, learning where they’re from, hearing their stories, and watching simple conversations grow into genuine connections. When she’s not in the shop, she refinishes furniture and repurposes items at home. She’s also constantly brainstorming ways to strengthen not only her business but all the Moon Lake Campus shops.

Faith and Mustard Seed is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop in to shop, browse, simply say hi, share a story, or make a new friend. You just might leave with exactly the encouragement you needed.