When Too Much Is Not Enough
We’re downsizing, so last Saturday, we moved from our home of 30 years to return to the tiny apartment above our office where we lived when we first were married. In that 30 years, we collected a lot of stuff – much more than can fit into our (as the genie would say) itty bitty living space. For weeks now, we were frazzled, frustrated, and filled with angst. But God was still there.
With my emotions were barely in check, here are just a few of the many thoughts gleaned from this latest stretch of our journey:
Perspective: I know that the Lord has been preparing me to keep my eyes fixed on the bigger picture. When we concentrate on eternal matters, the things of this world dim in comparison. Like looking through the lens of a camera, if our focus is on things nearby, those details in the background are fuzzy. When we adjust the lens, we can bring the background into crisp detail, and the close things are less harrowing.
PERSPECTIVE!!
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17-18
Prayer: At times, I was so scattered, I could barely put two sentences together. But God sees and hears the smallest murmurings in our deepest spaces of the heart.
Dear Jesus, …You know… Sigh. Amen.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
Provision: When I’m running out of strength, both physically and emotionally, God is still in control, keeping the universe spinning right on time while tending to the tiniest single cell creatures inhabiting our planet. His strength stands in the gap for when I’m weak, He is strong in me.
How I needed to read this exactly on that date!
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:9-10
There’s so much more to share, but I’ve got some unpacking to do!
I am sure it cannot be easy to downsize after 30 years in the same home. You are right: God is with you every step of the way.
We downsized last year, going from a house double the size than what we currently have. It’s difficult to know what to get rid but I like what you said about perspective. Purging will definetly alter our perspective to appreciating the little things.
I find myself praying like that sign a lot! LOL! But He is my strength and gets me through those tough days!
Have a lovely day!
Kim
I haven’t moved but recent events in our family have caused me to think about tiny house living. I have been doing some mental evaluation. Almost nothing is of real value except the love of Jesus and our family.
Happy unpacking! I was in my home for 10 years before I had to downsize to move to a new country. But thankfully, liked you said God is in control.