Solid Ground When Moving

Nothing can rock one’s world like a move – or old age. Not that I am old; I am moving, however, and without some of the stamina that propelled us here a decade ago. I am checking for solid ground during our move.

One verse from Isaiah has been solid and safe ground for me over many years of moving – literally, emotionally and spiritually.

And He will be the stability of your times; a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and power – the fear of the Lord is His treasure. (Isaiah 33:6)

Like watching bolts of lightening strike is seeing what the golden years can deliver. We “Boomers” are rocking and rolling in ways we didn’t imagine when Bill Haley told us to put our glad rags on! (You learn a lot when you have an older brother!)

Whew. What was a snap — moving — even ten years ago can look impossible!

Where is solid ground – stability — when change rocks me back on my heels?

Recently, one thing has been a constant, steadying oasis, if you will, in these crazy, unending days — the kindness and talent that two women, one an old friend, and the other a new one,  have poured into our moving.

• Can you imagine how restorative it is, when the initial prospect of unpacking all that has gone into making our sweet home sucks the oxygen out of the room, and a stranger takes hold of your hand before starting a daunting task, and prays . . . before we start packing?
• Or a friend shows up with dinner and breakfast . . . and is willing to listen to my garbled gotta-do list – and helps me make a better plan?
• Can you imagine how flat –out helpful it is to have two people coming alongside suggesting – requesting, showing, doing – so that we have had the courage and will to pack or discard that which has served us well, and now we will share, so it will serve others . . . (Marie Kondo) ?

God has shown us more solid ground  through these sweet women than I could have even figured out how to ask.

Wow . . . does that make sense? Short of being literally transported from Texas to Maryland – like Captain Kirk and his crew often were — these past few days of moving have been marvelous because of other people’s kindness, talent, and strengths.

Seeing, feeling, being swept up in an Ebenezar moment is better than a shot of Geritol! Safer for me, too, probably.

Please give me the discipline to get rid of the stuff that’s not important, the freedom to savor the stuff that gives me joy, and the patience not to worry about the stuff that’s messy but not hurting anybody. ~Vinita Hampton Wright, Simple Acts of Moving Forward, 2003