Living simply lesson #1: I have too much stuff. Somehow, I knew it before packing, but as I emptied out the closets and cupboards of the old 1034 mancave after five years of accumulating, it seemed the rooms filled up faster than the storage spaces emptied. Was this some kind of crazy twist on the fish and loaves account in Matthew? How could I have so much stuff that my team of five dapper lads could barely squeeze it all into a pickup truck and my car?
Packing felt awful. Having to scrounge and dumpster dive for empty cardboard boxes. Thrice. Missing out on some last drops of quality time with friends because I had to pack.
On the other hand, it felt wonderful to leave all of my furniture behind, give a box full of plates to a friend, and take a pile of things to my church to donate. Feeling bad to squirrel away, feeling good to give away. Things look so much different in the Kingdom.
I packed up and shipped out just over a week ago now. Leaving was hard. I was already pulling out of the parking lot when I realized that day would hold my last Sunday worship at Ann Arbor First and the last time I would see my many cherished Michigan friends in a long time. The door had shut on my apartment of five years by the time I realized it would likely be the last time I would walk through it. Driving down Route 23, I realized it could be the last time I would make that five hour drive (not that I'll miss the Ohio Turnpike too much). Michigan, it's been real!
Behind, I leave the whips and chains/Before me spreads sweet Freedom's plains/Farewell, farewell
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