New Lenten Discipline and a Video of Boudreaux

Lent is a time to rid yourself of unnecessary things in your life and to add the essential. Right?

Well, in the spirit of Lent, I'm adding the spiritual discipline of moving. OK, not just moving. Purging, decluttering, packing and moving in less than two weeks.

Letting go of the unnecessary is easier when I consider packing items and unpacking them again. Is it truly something we need or really want? Can we do without this? Yeah, I think I've got this part down pat. Thrift stores get ready!!! We've got bags of stuff for you! It helps that I don't have time to really think long and hard about different items.

Adding those things that are essential is more problematic. Patience with Boo when he asks the same question time after time, patience with myself when I'm overworked and tired...that's harder. Remembering and making time for prayer...that's been an issue the last couple of days too.

Another essential that I need to add is trust. Trust that I'll have the physical and emotional strength to do all that I need to get ready for this move alone, trust that the house we're moving into will be ready, trust that Boo will remember the area well enough that he won't be too confused when we move and trust that this is the right move for us.

I guess a little additional information is necessary...

We're moving back to the lovely, very small town we left a year and eight months ago. I thought we had good reasons to move. Circumstances change. Boo is less willing to get out and about because there are so many people here. Even going out for coffee is overwhelming for him.

When we moved, we had no immediate family in the area. Mom had moved away for several months, but has returned to the area and plans to stay there. Now she needs help with some day to day things. Our new home will almost be in her backyard. So, theoretically, it will be easier to care for Boo and give Mom the help she needs to remain independent.

Besides, Boo and I both prefer the quiet, slower pace of life there. Boo enjoys sitting on the front porch and speaking to everyone who walks by. (Yes, people really do walk by, wave and talk. Just like in small towns years ago.) At this point in our lives, slow is better. It's certainly easier to get Boo out to do things when he knows the people he sees will be familiar. I'll be busy and happy with Boo and Mom, getting to know some of my cousins that have retired to the area and connecting with old (and new) friends on the internet.

Here's to my new, very practical spiritual discipline...moving. Moving away from the unnecessary clutter in our lives and moving toward emphasizing those things that are essential.  Letting go of the fear of change and failure, embracing family and new friends and grabbing onto trust with both hands and holding on.

Ummm...prayers for our move and my sanity would be greatly appreciated.  When I take the time to think about what I'm obligated to do, I panic. 

And here's a video of Boudreaux trying to catch the aquarium fish.  It has nothing to do with anything in this post.  Boo just likes it.

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