My dear wife says we have lived in 21 different houses over our nearly 43 years of marriage. She’s exaggerating, of course, it’s been only 20 homes. Silly woman. It's not my fault she married a nomad.
Add to that the number of different places I grew up in—somewhere around ten—and you’ve got to wonder why I’m so normal. (Or perhaps that explains a few things, like my love for adventure.)
I’m writing this on the morning of my next move. We’re just moving about a mile away, but a move is a move—especially at my age. My mind is thinking about all that needs to be done today. My heart is thinking about all the memories I have in this home over the past eleven years.
This move is tough.
It’s the only house my grandkids have known as Grandpa and Grandma’s. We have some of the best neighbors on the planet. I look out my window at trees and hills, and I often see deer, turkeys, and an occasional moose or porcupine. (I’m pretty sure I saw Sasquatch once.)
Frankly, I’m quite emotional right now. I know it’s time to move. I know God led us to this place, and I know He’s leading us to the next one. But it’s still hard.
Nonetheless, when you move as much as I have, you learn a few things:
- A house isn’t a home; your family is the home.
- Attitude can make you or break you.
- It’s hard to hold onto the meaningless when you decide to move only what matters.
- Stuff doesn’t really matter; people do.
- We still try to collect a lot of useless crap.
- If you haven’t used it (whatever it is) in over a year, it’s useless to you. (Give it away.)
- Where you live isn’t nearly as important as whom God puts you next to in a neighborhood.
- Neighbors come and go. True friends are forever.
- Good memories are made when you live a Jesus-centered life, and that can happen anywhere and everywhere.
- A Jesus-centered life isn’t about an address; it’s about being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did—whether that’s in a tent, an apartment, or a mansion.
My back already is killing me. My mind is racing with a hundred things I should be doing right now instead of writing. My heart is aching a bit.
Perhaps, however, the greatest lesson I’ve learned after living in 31 houses is this: Jesus is always with me. Always.
And a billion years from now, I’ll know even better how that’s all that ever truly mattered.
For this world is not our permanent home;
we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
The biggest lie in Alaska is that I have a 3 car garage and can fit a car into it. Living in the land of over 2,000,000 lakes (a lot of those are blue tarps the overflow from our garages are stored under) your message hit’s home. Now if I can just locate my computer keyboard on my messy desk I’ll post an ad for a major garage sale. Love you cousin. Jeff
Here’s to making so many wonderful memories in your new home. It is beautiful.
I also wanted to comment on your statement “stuff doesn’t matter, people do”. You truly can’t take it with you. This old saying is so true. I recently walked beside a dear friend for her last four months of life (cancer sucks) and am now going through her estate. She collected so many things that meant so much to her and it saddens me to see them sold to complete strangers. When all is said and done, none of these collections mean anything. They are just that, things. If they bring you or others joy, great, but if they are hidden in a closet and are collected just to collect, what joy is there? When all is said and done, memories and people are what matters. I am so thankful she was a Godly woman who had many friends who dearly loved her. Now, I, instead of her, am giving many of her things away in her memory. I wish she could have done this herself. It makes me look in my closets to see how I can share and give back, especially this holiday season. Will I still purchase gifts for my grandkids at Christmas . . . sure. But I know the most precious gift will be the time I spend with them and the memories we will make together.
I lived in 10 houses by 10th grade as a kid too.
I’ve also moved 17 times as an adult.
Not fun, Maybe but definitely an adventure.
God bless you and Laura in your new home.
Blessings abound in this your New Home ‘;) You didn’t give reasons for making this move so close to your present home ‘;) Just curious ‘;) It will be “Fun” New adventures makes for New excitement which spurs on New interest You will do amazing things as you have shown yourselves the ability to do in the past – It thrills my Heart to see How you have availed your self to Our Lord and His leading in your Life – GO NOW – into this New Phase and continue that which the Lord has started in You ‘;)
Thanks for this Post Kurt as Trish and I are considering a move north. I too seem to be a nomad. God Bless, Be Safe, Gary
Beautifully written, Kurt. I’m the opposite of you, having owned only 3 homes in what would have been Roger’s and my 57 years of marriage. I’m sure God has a plan for you and Laura in your new home. Thanks for a humorous, but heart-felt blog. Made my day.