Why does a deadline spur creativity and accomplish every task on your to do list in a ridiculously short amount of time? Once a date was set for our move, we managed to either repair, paint, trim, de-clutter, organize, pack, sell or give away something in every room of this house. We have done more in the last 2 weeks than we have done in total the last 3 1/2 years. We are exhausted, but as we look around we are also pleased with our efforts. Steve has commented several times that our next place should be less "full" of things.
The consignment store came today to pick up everything we had not sold. They took the dining room furniture, and antique dresser, another dining table and chairs, a leather chair and ottoman, a set of nesting tables and a cabinet. There were two guys from "two guys and a truck" who very carefully took each piece out fully covered in the pouring rain. Once everything was removed we pulled the last remaining table and chairs into the dining area. It really is a very clean, simple look and the bonus is the room looks so much bigger without all the furniture. Our realtor had provided us a list of 40 items to help sell your home. De-clutter was a big one and I can honestly say we have that one mastered.
I have been totally dreading the mess in the basement. I have also stalled in going down there because I knew it was going to be a huge job. I worked today trying to put some order to it as the guys removed the furniture. The problem isn't just that it has to be packed. It also has to be sorted. I don't want to cart things down to Florida that we don't need. So, I have to go through each piece of paper to see if it is worthy of a box or the shredder. I am also trying to decide if I need to take such things as office supplies, cards, etc to have on hand in case I don't get my things back in a reasonable time. We don't have a ton of room in the cars, but I don't want to spend money unnecessarily if I already have the items. It almost seems insurmountable. However, when I finished today and looked around there were gaping holes where things had been sorted, chucked and packed. There was progress albeit still a big mess.
It has been this way my whole life. I waited until the last minute to do school reports/papers. I waited until the last minute to practice the piano. I waited until the last minute to clean the house. When I became frantic about completion, I became more productive. Things got done and it seemed done better than if I had had all the time in the world. Steve and I have fallen into that trap as a married couple as well. There have been countless Saturday nights spent getting things done before church on Sunday morning. Other projects that were on the back burner until a party/event was scheduled at our house; then a patio or deck suddenly appeared. It seems we are doing it again with the sale of this house. Everything we have talked about wanting to do is now being done.
The funny thing is we know we are doing it and yet it continues to happen over and over again. We tell ourselves, "Next time....." and next time is exactly the same as the last time. The lesson doesn't appear to be learned. God tells us we need to be ready, "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning." Luke 12:35 ESV We as Christians must be prepared to go at a moments notice. We never know when the Lord will give us our marching orders. Steve and I thought we would have months before a Pastorate would come along. We were wrong. In less than 2 months Steve expressed an interest, was connected with church planting strategists in Florida, talked to the Interim Pastor at our new church and went for an interview and was hired. We were then given about 5 weeks to get our affairs in order. It is mind boggling.
You won't get a word from God about where you are suppose to go if you don't have your heart and your life prepared for a journey. Take the time now to organize your life and make ready your steps.
In His service
Mally
The consignment store came today to pick up everything we had not sold. They took the dining room furniture, and antique dresser, another dining table and chairs, a leather chair and ottoman, a set of nesting tables and a cabinet. There were two guys from "two guys and a truck" who very carefully took each piece out fully covered in the pouring rain. Once everything was removed we pulled the last remaining table and chairs into the dining area. It really is a very clean, simple look and the bonus is the room looks so much bigger without all the furniture. Our realtor had provided us a list of 40 items to help sell your home. De-clutter was a big one and I can honestly say we have that one mastered.
I have been totally dreading the mess in the basement. I have also stalled in going down there because I knew it was going to be a huge job. I worked today trying to put some order to it as the guys removed the furniture. The problem isn't just that it has to be packed. It also has to be sorted. I don't want to cart things down to Florida that we don't need. So, I have to go through each piece of paper to see if it is worthy of a box or the shredder. I am also trying to decide if I need to take such things as office supplies, cards, etc to have on hand in case I don't get my things back in a reasonable time. We don't have a ton of room in the cars, but I don't want to spend money unnecessarily if I already have the items. It almost seems insurmountable. However, when I finished today and looked around there were gaping holes where things had been sorted, chucked and packed. There was progress albeit still a big mess.
It has been this way my whole life. I waited until the last minute to do school reports/papers. I waited until the last minute to practice the piano. I waited until the last minute to clean the house. When I became frantic about completion, I became more productive. Things got done and it seemed done better than if I had had all the time in the world. Steve and I have fallen into that trap as a married couple as well. There have been countless Saturday nights spent getting things done before church on Sunday morning. Other projects that were on the back burner until a party/event was scheduled at our house; then a patio or deck suddenly appeared. It seems we are doing it again with the sale of this house. Everything we have talked about wanting to do is now being done.
The funny thing is we know we are doing it and yet it continues to happen over and over again. We tell ourselves, "Next time....." and next time is exactly the same as the last time. The lesson doesn't appear to be learned. God tells us we need to be ready, "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning." Luke 12:35 ESV We as Christians must be prepared to go at a moments notice. We never know when the Lord will give us our marching orders. Steve and I thought we would have months before a Pastorate would come along. We were wrong. In less than 2 months Steve expressed an interest, was connected with church planting strategists in Florida, talked to the Interim Pastor at our new church and went for an interview and was hired. We were then given about 5 weeks to get our affairs in order. It is mind boggling.
You won't get a word from God about where you are suppose to go if you don't have your heart and your life prepared for a journey. Take the time now to organize your life and make ready your steps.
In His service
Mally
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