“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness . . . . Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33a-34 NIV
My husband and I are in the midst of a life changing move. We’re leaving our home in our beloved northwoods, for a condo 290 miles away in Southern Wisconsin where we’ll be near family and lifelong friends.
It’s a happy move, in the sense that we are “going home” to the area where we lived nearly forever. We have missed our family members in the years we’ve lived up north. Soon we’ll be within minutes of loved ones.
But the move is unsettling as well. For the last 29 plus years we’ve enjoyed a secluded lifestyle–in homes set in deep woods–21 years in the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Southern Wisconsin and, most recently, 8 years in the wild north. Now we’re moving to a condo!
There are wonderful things about our new home. It’s less than 2 miles from the home of one of our daughters. The condo is set on the edge of a quiet, quaint village–close to farm country yet only 40 minutes from downtown Milwaukee. Close by are charming communities with leisure time amenities–galleries, cozy bistros, good restaurants, studios offering lessons in a plethora of arts and crafts, antique shops, etc.
The church we attend with our family members in Southern Wisconsin is 3/4 of a mile from our future front door. On a warmish, sunny day we’ll be able to walk to church!
We can have our precious Baby Dylan (Pembroke Welsh corgi) in our condo, and our patio and front door look onto a pleasant dog walking park. On every visit to the complex of condos where we’ll be living, we’ve seen people walking their dogs.
We know that an easy maintenance condo will free us up, affording us more time for family, friends, and hobbies. God has provided for this sensible move. A year from now we may wonder why it took so long to decide on a change!
But now, especially when I’m weary from packing, I catch myself fussing about the weeks ahead. I’m tempted to fret over the details of moving–wondering what we will do when, and how! Taken as a whole, the logistics of moving and settling can seem overwhelming!
Our Lord tells us to focus on Him, to trust Him rather than worry about tomorrow. I gird up my will, to focus on His command. There’s plenty to do each day. To fret about tomorrow would be rank disobedience on my part.
Shoving tomorrow far from my mind and heart, I find joy in living each day! Refusing to worry about tomorrow turns moving into fun. Nearly every item I wrap has a story behind it–a memory of family gatherings and adventures with loved ones. I muse over the memories, and thank God for a lifetime of blessings!
Every box, filled and neatly stacked in a tower of cartons, takes us one step closer to the new adventure which God has planned for my husband and me. Meanwhile, we are living each day.
Margaret L. Been
Tags: Creative Living, Creativity and Christians, Gracious Living, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Home and Family, Living with Wisdom, Numbering Our Days, Peace in the Midst of Change, Quietness, Serenity
July 5, 2009 at 10:42 pm |
Hello Margaret,
What a blessing – I’ve just ‘discovered’ your blogs!
I’ve been a ‘Slice’ reader for years, having read and enjoyed your comments. Lord only knows why I didn’t put ‘two and two’ together and realize you had your own sites.
Regardless, I feel like I’ve found another treasure trove of good reading and look forward to catching up.
My prayer for you is that you have a ’smooth move’ to southern Wisconsin.
Love your sites, your artwork, your stories, poems, family pictures and Christian insights.
Grace and Peace to you and yours,
Lois
July 6, 2009 at 1:15 pm |
Hi, Lois. You are an encourager! Thank you so much. Our new home will provide lots of adventures. Just being near the great-grandchildren will be a great reward. They’ll provide lots of fun and inspiration!