When Jenna moved in with me 8 years ago, we had to hire a storage unit. A lot of her memorabilia went into it, as well as some things I moved to make space for her. Later, when a brand-new storage facility opened less than a mile away, we were the first in line to rent, moving our stuff from a distant site. (Did you know I drove an 18-foot truck on that adventure?)
For a long time, it was pretty much “just take it to storage” in our home. We rarely brought anything back. I knew that I should keep tabs on it, but out of sight out of mind, you know.
All that changed at the beginning of this year. The storage rental fee went sharply up, and the quality of the facility went down. One of the bay doors is frequently broken, and the elevator screams in agony whenever it is asked to go up or down. We decided to assimilate everything back into our home.
Great decision, hard to execute. I was just too sick to think about it for several months. But this week we have been taking multiple trips in the car to bring out smaller boxes and containers, and yesterday, a neighbor lent us the use of his minivan (he kindly took out the seats,) and we brought home all the taller, heavier items. Jenna says that there is only one carload of stuff left to collect. It’s all in the garage awaiting an assigned place.
I am heavily into stuff-care and management. (I’ve even annoyed some of my friends who are not as obsessed. Sorry, guys.) But part of God’s prime directive in Genesis 1:28 (KJV) is to “subdue the earth.” Other translations say, “subjugate it [putting it under your power]” (AMP), “take control of it” (ERV), or “govern it” (NLT). As I see it, God left humanity in charge, and I am responsible for what He has given me: my life, my home, my stuff.
So, for the rest of this week, I won’t be posting. After a sleepless night thinking about the daunting task at hand, I will be busy subduing my garage.
Pray for me.