Having moved to a foreign nation, then doing the work to move back to my beloved Florida, I have come to some realizations about stuff.
Material stuff.
It doesn’t matter. It just doesn’t. You know this in the abstract, of course. At least those of us with a modicum of common sense do, but it’s still hard to let go sometimes. Especially when you’ve poured yourself into something, like a house, a homemade bench, a favorite guitar or a food forest.
Letting go of a food forest is particularly painful for a gardener. But you can’t really keep it anyways.
Our bodies age, and eventually we die. The only thing that goes with us is our soul and the souls of those we love, provided they have been chosen to adoption by God through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.
If you’re a straight-up materialist, believing this world is all there is, then you don’t even believe you get to take your soul with you. But you will, you’ll just be in a very bad place with it.
One of the wonderful things about having children as a Christian, and seeing them be baptized and believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ is that they will go with you. They will be with you here on earth as you make decisions about what things to move and what things to leave behind, and in the end they’ll be with you in eternity, along with your believing ancestors and descendants. That’s real wealth! What a great reason to have a big family!
On Wednesday I shipped five barrels of my earthly possessions back to Florida. Family pictures, books, tools, quilts, clothing, that sort of thing. A lot more was left behind, given away or sold, but the best things mostly are going with us back home, with the exception of a few things including my Taylor guitar, which I sold because it was too hard to take. I also had to leave my Meadow Creature broadfork, my moonshine still, my tablesaw…
…it was a hard bit of sorting, that is for sure. But hey – you can’t take them with you ultimately, so with that in mind it is easier to get rid of them here.
Moving fast is hard with a lot of stuff. We have a big family, so there was a lot of stuff. The kids and Rachel had to make hard decisions as well, letting go and giving away and selling things like appliances and bicycles, plants and toys, clothes and books.
But we’re together. And we will be for eternity. And that’s a wonderful comfort.
It’s real wealth, not material wealth.
You can have greener thumbs by this weekend!
7 comments
For what it’s worth, I moved several times as a single person, and I’ve done it twice with a family, and we have never, ever hired a moving van: if it didn’t fit in the car, we didn’t take it. Most things can be replaced on the cheap. And most of the things one accumulates… aren’t really needed. Moving is a great time to assess the cost of the stuff you own: nothing’s really *free*. Everything needs maintenance, takes up space that could be used for something else (opportunity cost!). Ultimately, most things aren’t worth moving. Not even across town. It’s nice to cut it all loose, now and then.
I’ve been praying for your family since first getting the news of your plans. I’ve been eagerly looking for updates. It just occurred to me to check your website and – voila! – an update. And oh, such an update. You “get it”, David. You and Rachel… you “get it”. What a profoundly thoughtful and moving essay. I may never meet you in person on this planet… but we’ll likely be gardening together on the “New” one! Blessings to you and Rachel and the kids. Welcome back.
You’ve perfectly illustrated the meaning behind Matthew 6:21. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I’m praying for your safe and speedy return. I’ve enjoyed following your journey and have learned (and laughed) so much along the way. Thanks for sharing the gift of your knowledge and experience, David. God bless you all!
(I know the Meadow Creature was a tough one to leave behind but it’s replaceable.)
Thanks, Gloria. God bless. I hope to meet you in person back in Florida.
I look forward to it!
No! Not the broadfork, the still, the saw!
Oh well. I’m sure someone will make good use of them. Especially the still.
I’m so glad you and your family are coming home where you belong!! I’m all the way up in Lake City, but if there is ANYTHING I can do for you guys, let me know. I’d even drive down just to take y’all to Taco Bell. I think you have my phone number as a member? if not, you have my email, so please, don’t be shy if you need anything. A little cash, a place to stay (some might have to sleep on the porch or out in the van, but hey…), some monarda punctata seeds, whatever. God bless!
PS: Bonnie’s Garden just became an official Florida nursery TODAY, thanks to your book’s encouragement, brother!! Still working on getting the website up.
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