As the purge of household goods continues in our preparations for our move, I have come to understand the phrase, less is more, in a new, fresh and true way.
We have sold and given away usable items, taken loads to thrift stores and to the local garbage facility. Much is packed, with empty boxes soon to be filled, filed and stored.
There are items we simply will no longer need in a townhouse, with a maintenance package. No longer will we need multiple hoses, tools or a lawn mower … thus, no longer will we spend weekends doing maintenance on a house or property.
As a trash can full of rakes, landscape fabric, shovels and other gardening items was picked up by a purchaser, last weekend, my smile widened.
Freedom is in the air!
All of a sudden (perhaps I am just a bit slow) I am realizing how our possessions have a way of possessing our time, us.
I am reminded of Romans 13:11, and I love how the Message records it:
“But make sure
that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted
in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations
that you lose track of the time and doze off,
oblivious to God.”
I can, to be sure, attest that I have met God in those obligations (more about that in a couple of days). I can certainly also attest to dozing off, after a day of gardening, house maintenance and yard work, oblivious to God.
As we prepare for our move I find myself eagerly anticipating smaller living with a bigger life.
Perhaps this is the change that we didn’t even know we wanted or needed.