Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:13We are moving. As usual around here, I am simultaneously on a deadline, a circumstance for which I am grateful. As I sit still painting, my family is busy deconstructing our once-beautiful household, stuffing it piece by piece into a pod.
Of course, not everything makes the cut. Moving is expensive. We are shedding as much as we possibly can, selling the big stuff, and carting boatloads of paper to be recycled. The bin sits as staunchly and contentedly as a buddha off to the side of the sweet little elementary school where my son has been taught for the last six years, accepting these papers—each, a page in the story of my life—without hesitation.
For me, paper is the biggest problem. Every scrap to which my child touched pencil, crayon or brush holds a spot in my heart. I saved most of it, and Gray, an artist, has always been prolific. There are boxes upon boxes, all neatly labeled. Soon, there will be fewer boxes, and they will be lighter.
Our family's other struggle in the realm of paper has been over my eight Bible Study Fellowship binders, each weighing in at well over five pounds. All of that wisdom, so much learning. I agreed to let go of my handwritten notes, and my 225 question and answer sheets (made heavier by an embarrassing amount of graphite and ink), reducing the load by half. But for some reason I can't part with my smaller binder, the one I used to organize my role in leadership at BSF. Held together by scotch tape and hope after years of hard use, it looks like trash. There's nothing much on the inside, either: contact info for my beloved fellow leaders, much of which is sorely out of date; little to-do notes I scribbled to myself on the divider pages, which are torn and falling out; the materials I needed to present the introduction class to new members. That mess of stuff I will keep. Surely, we can find room.
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I can relate totally! We've moved something like 17 or 18 times in our marriage. The hardest was when we moved from our house where we raised the kids and stayed 20 years. I threw away a lot of memories as we moved from the house to an apartment. That was hard. But remember this: you will always have the memories and things are just things. The Bible said, "Mary treasured these things in her heart..." Jesus is where we build our best and most lasting memories. Blessings Catherine!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, El, your comments are such an encouragement. Thanks for your continual support. (Wow! 17 or 18 moves? I can hardly imagine.)
DeleteI love this El(bert)! :)
DeleteSo it's happening, V! I know God is preparing very good things for you and for those you will touch in your new home. In the meantime, I'll be praying with you that God will bless the work of your hands, help you with your deadline, and with every decision, big and little, that you need to make.
ReplyDeleteThank you, wonderful Connie, you are such a sweet friend in Jesus. Thank you a thousand times over for your prayers. Amen.
DeleteCatherine, I had no idea you were moving. I know we haven't seen each other in a few years, but just know that you will be missed by many. Your story touched me years ago, but your growth and walk have inspired me over and over again. Biggest blessings in your new endeavors. Love, Kim
ReplyDeleteAwww, Kim. Thank you. :'^) Thanks for your kindness to me over the years.
ReplyDeleteBeing the wife of United Methodist pastor, I have moved more than a few times in my life. I actually look forward to the sorting out and downsizing that goes on before packing up what we will take to the next place. The process always makes me feel like a better steward of what God has given me.
ReplyDeleteLots of moving in my life, lots of purging and saving and piles and boxes and heavy lifting. It's such good exercise to take physical stock of your life at least ONCE, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI've started taking photos of kiddo artwork and paper I cannot do without and treating it to its own digital photo album. I'm a paper hoarder, too... so I am hoping this makes things easier in the future.
Good luck to you on your journey!
Dearest Catherine, I am huge hoarder when it comes to paper notes (personal and from friends). They are such treasures for me. I've done a bit of scanning but i have a loooong way to go. My heart goes to you, my friend! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine... My heart goes out to you, everything means something eh? But just to spur you on, we have just emptied mum's house and last year Aunties, and believe me- it's best not kept as it just becomes a burden. The other thing is, as you grow, you change and in a way become new so embrace what is to come dear sister.
ReplyDeleteI send love and pray God's richest blessings on this move.
Petrina