A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps Proverbs 16:9
Boxes pile up throughout the house and everyday living becomes more and more of a maze of hazardous cardboard corners. There are boxes piled, boxes in progress, and boxes turned into tents and hats and automobiles by the children, most of whom are besides themselves excited by the adventure, and others simply observing, bewildered by narrowing passways.
Our family chalkboard is a mess of dates, to-do’s, and doodles. We are already, and quite customarily, behind. Despite all of the downsizing we have done through two moves already in the past five years (has it been that long already?), I still find myself, in the kitchen for example, unable to pare down to simply a pot and a spoon and instead clutch to my dozens of spices and at least that many cookbooks for the last few weeks of organizing, packing, cleaning, moving, cleaning again, hefting items to charity (and I do mean hefting), painting and cleaning (yes, again) the rental home we are moving to, and trying to valiantly save and plant the garden seedlings I’ve been tending on my windowsills. Because you know that after slogging away at that staggering list of responsibilities, I’m going to want to whip up some fancy French five course meal with at least several seasonings on some random evening.
Meanwhile, the family annual weekend vacation must go on. Yes, yes, it must (I tell myself). So must birthdays, a graduation, grandparent visits, a trip to the Regionals NCFCA competition, and Ruby’s all-day trip to the neurodevelopmentalist.
So why did I even LOOK at the current real estate listings? This, I tell you, is an enigma. But there it was: a five acre piece of property in a location that ticked off enough boxes (boxes, again) to make it worth a look in the twenty minutes we had between packing and sleeping. We made an offer on the spot. And now we are pending sale as we tick off even more boxes (boxes! boxes I say!) and, Lord willing, before summer greets us we shall be settled into our next rental AND have a lovely place to go picnic and dream about possibilities amongst the trilliums.
It may be a coincidence I had been reading Trusting God before all of this whirlwind began, but I suppose that would display a gross misunderstanding of not only Mr. Bridges’s teaching, but of God’s sovereignty in all things, blessing and tribulation alike. There is simply no room for panic when your assurance and your footing are on the foundation of Christ, and I am very much aware that when my flesh flees (oh, so often…) from the Holy Spirit’s teaching, guiding, comfort, and incessant reflection of Jesus, it is akin to a child scampering off deliciously close to the Grand Canyon’s edge. Now, He may keep my foot from falling, but He may even not, even as He keeps me in His hands.
So I am packing. Downsizing again. In His grace, He has asked me to do it three times and I am certain that if my flesh remains stubborn, He will do so again and again. He is good that way, and truly, in the process of sanctifying us to be more like Jesus, every “give and take away” is a holy blessing. Embrace it.
Blessings,
That trusting in the beautiful Sovereignty of God is such a precious gift! I sometimes have grace to enjoy it in big things, then my flesh flees it in the little. Sigh!! How grateful I am that I can trust that God will continue the sanctifying work til completion. Blessings Keri Mae in this time.
You and I both! Thankful it is HIS work!
How exciting! Happy happy for you!
Thank you, Abby 🙂
I try to stay away from screens but every so often need to check in with you. I sincerely think you are a delightful person-you value what’s important, are constantly learning and trying new things, and are humble enough to share your struggles. Maybe it’s just where I live but it seems very few women click with me the way you do. It’s shocking how many people I try talking to who literally do almost nothing with their lives-they don’t cook, don’t read, don’t watch anything interesting, don’t have any hobbies. You are truly a breath of fresh air and I thank you so much for your encouragement and inspiration! And you seem just plain fun too;) I always look forward to hearing what is going on in your world no matter how big or small.
Thank you, Rachel, for your sweet encouragement.
So, why are you downsizing when you are moving to a larger house? It’s also local, so multiple trips with collected “stuff” is possible, even likely. 🤔
I find that moving so often allows us the opportunity–the blessing–of considering how much weight we carry from place to place. In packing and repacking, we find it wise to consider each piece: do we love this? Is it useful to us? Is it a blessing? If not, then I’m afraid we will spend all of our time and energy cleaning, repairing and caring for things–just things–that do not matter to us as much as spending time playing, learning and living. Local or not, weight is weight, and it’s not just physical weight.
So true. That object and that book on their shelves never seem to need renewed evaluation of their worth to us until we are forced to move them. Too much else cries for our day-to-day attention. Too often the memory weight and the emotional weight cement the immovable items in their designated spots until some irresistible force comes along. Unfortunately in our moves, most of those reevaluations came when we unpacked the items in our new house and tried to figure out where their next immovable location was going to be! 🙄 Glad you’re doing a better job of it!