Trash Day

It was Trash Day on Friday.  And thank goodness . . .

Yup.  This was the mound of trash we pulled out of our house this past week as we are preparing to move overseas (in just 8 days now).  Puzzles that were missing pieces, sweaters with holes, half-filled bottles of lotion we forgot we had–trash we certainly weren’t using and certainly won’t miss.   Things that served to clutter and complicate and lessen our living. 

And we didn’t even know it was all there.  And we had no idea there was so much of it.  But it was the catalyst of moving that prompted the massive unearthing, and though it took hard work to haul it all out to the curb, I’m thankful we’re rid of the pile.

And I have to wonder that if a catalyst were to stir my personal or spiritual life, what kind of trash would be exposed?  What patterns, habits, and lies am I living with today that clutter and lesson the way I pursue God and people?  Is it anger?  False beliefs about myself?  Selfish communication?  Bitterness towards someone?  Pride? 

Because whether I recognize it or not, I am inevitably living with some inner junk.  And I’m no expert, but maybe the best thing I can do is to

welcome whatever catalyst begins the excavation,

do the hard work of hauling it to the curbside, and

rest in a God who redeems even the trash.

Tagged as: inspirational, missionary mom blogs, moving overseas, moving with kids