we left a lot behind in the mountains of eastern tennessee.
we left a house where my kids learned to play together...
where lucy became a 'super sister'...
where joey hung his first light fixture...
where oliver mastered the stairs...
{and performed many 'concerts' with his sister}
where i grew tomatoes...
we left our friends...
we left our kids' friends...
we left watauga river fun with our cousins...
as much as God has upheld us and strengthened us over the past few months, i had a feeling that our loss and struggles were not over yet...i was right. we are still in the thick of it. but when i think of all we've left behind i am reminded of that old U2 song that i love and then my mind is flooded with all that i can't leave behind...and that's what i'm taking with me.
it's good practice for the day when i leave this world.
leaving behind a house that i spent so much time organizing and decorating. but taking with me the memories we made there.
leaving behind crops that i worked so hard tending. but taking with me the amazement of God's creation and how it continues to grow and bear fruit.
leaving behind people who i shared so much of life with. but taking with me the lessons they taught me and the love they shared.
there is much that we leave behind as we journey through life and ultimately as we step into our eternal life in heaven. but there's so much more that we can take with us.
although the world beckons me to
worship the temporal,
work hard for the material,
sacrifice for the immediate...
i'm after the eternal
practically speaking - for me - this means:
:: less superficial facebook posts and more heart-to-heart conversations over coffee
:: less searching the internet for the perfect 'thing' i want to buy {no matter how discounted it may be!} and more searching my Bible for truth that can't be found in 'things'
:: less worrying over what the future holds and more trusting that my life is held in mighty hands
:: less itemized lists of what i 'need' and more time spent serving the needs of others
:: less living in fear and resentment and more living in freedom and love
3 comments:
SO we know you are leaving but we don't know where you are going. How about the rest of the story? OXOXO Mollie
In spite of a short season, our family really hit it off & enjoyed yours. Thanks for moving here! We are sorry you guys are leavin(ESP. Lindsay & Kate). Looking forward to staying in touch. Wonderful writing btw.
Precious Maxon family: No doubt your journey may seem overwhelming from time to time, but the years will begin to offer you a beautiful tapestry filled with all of the friends, family, joys and sorrows that could never have been completed without the commitment and faith that the four of you have woven into it.
Trusting HIS plan and provisions for each of you. ~E.Utley.
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