Our date to move out seemed to come really fast. We opted to move out a month before our lease was up, so we could get settled before my surgery, and so that I would not have to navigate stairs. We put a lot of prayer and consideration into this move, and James was diligent in researching and trying to find us a place.
We considered staying in our apartment, but the family concensus was to move. Not only for the reasons already mentioned, but ultimately living in the apartment was really challenging. Our first neighbors were not at all gracious with our noise, to the point that we felt like we had to tip toe around so as to not disturb them. It was very stressful, and tainted an otherwise happy space. The 2nd neighbors were more gracious, but we couldn’t help but wonder if our daily living was a constant irritation to them as well. Worrying about that was a huge stresser for me. It was a good prompt in considering others before ourselves.
I packed boxes as I had bouts of energy, which felt sporadic. My sister came to help, and stayed a few days. She got us to the point of just having all the last minute stuff left to pack, the stuff that could not be sealed in a box until the actual day of our move. I was really grateful, because even though I had made progress, there was still a lot of stuff left, and I was running out of steam. The added benefit was that we got to hang with the nephews for a few days!
James was way too enthused about this move, he woke up the Friday before the scheduled day to move, looked around the apartment and decided he needed to stay home to help. He woke me with singing, and dancing. Yes. He did. And, yes, it was super annoying. He didn’t even bring coffee to ease the pain and suffering of this. Yes, I gave him grief over this, as did each of the kids. We all thought he was a complete nut.
In hindsight, I was really grateful for the tone he set, and that he had the foresight to start a day early. With the help of some friends, he got a lot done giving us a great jump start for the actual moving day.
I would like to mention that the same friends who have already moved us, at least twice, if not more came and helped us with this move. It would be totally legit for them to question whether they wanted to remain friends with us after one such endeavor, but two or more? Wow. I am fairly certain there was a comment made about the Beverly Hillbillies moving in. The person who mentioned this shall remain anonymous. Chris. Okay. There may be a sting of truth in that statement.
Even though we downsized two years ago when we sold our house, we also kept way more than I wish we would have. With each box our friends carried, each load they made, James and I cringed. Each time someone asked me, “Where should this go?” my heart seemed to shrivel some. It is grievous to our hearts that we have so much stuff. As we’ve sorted through all of our boxes of stuff we deemed worth keeping, we asked, “Why?!”
Why do we have so much stuff?
Our storage was full of stuff that we no longer need or want. We’ve outgrown most of it, or we don’t have room for it in our life anymore. I am happy to say that the majority of it has been sorted into a very big garage sale pile. It’s the last piddly stuff that is harder to part with.
I am really grateful for the help of above mentioned friends, my sister and brother-in-law. They knocked our move out. They emptied both the apartment, and our storage unit. They cleaned the entire apartment, and helped set up our new house so that it is livable, and feels like a home. All I have left to tackle are my large collection of books, and photos. If I really wanted to, I could shove that stuff away somewhere and forget about it. However, I am resolved to leave it within eyesight until I face each and every item and decide to keep it or get rid of it.
There is a saying that everything you own owns you. It is as if there is an invisible string attached to you and every single item you own. EVERY. SINGLE. ITEM. The visual this brings to my mind is of a helpless puppet being ruled by all the stuff. How gross. It is not how I want to live. I do not want to be owned by my stuff. However, I am wrestling with my internal pack rat, who is begging me to keep all the stuff. You know, just in case. Ugh.
Please pray that we would have discernment as we sort. My heart wants to live more simply, and not bear the weight of all this stuff anymore.
May His Truth win over this one!
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, wehere moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
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