Posted: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 10:52 pm

Move teaches lesson of sentimental attachments
What you do know is that we are in the midst of moving, but what you may not know is that even though the house is the same size, because it is configured differently, there is substantially less storage.

That can be a good thing, but it can also be a troubling wind on the waters as Malicia and I don’t always agree on what should stay and what should go. The interesting discovery, however, is that Gabe, one of our twin sons heading off to college for the first time this year, would actually keep less than I would keep.

I am the guy who goes through his closet after each season and sends to the Goodwill anything I did not or could not wear that year. I am the guy who will toss a box found in the attic or closet without even opening it if it made the last move and has not been opened since. I am the guy who tried to throw away old pictures because I knew I would never look that thin again!

But Gabe is even less sentimental and less prone to holding onto anything that could be seen as clutter. He is now the “king of the toss out.” 

But, I have a plan. In order to regain my crown I am going to kick it up a notch. For instance;

• if every single song on an album isn’t a hit, it is gone.
• if every scene in a movie isn’t moving, it is gone.
• if every chapter in a book doesn’t speak to me, it is gone.
• if every tool in my garage isn’t needed monthly, it is gone.
• if every piece of sporting equipment isn’t used weekly, it is gone.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good beginning. Additionally, it has given me the motivation to clean up the other messy parts of my life. For instance:

• if the athletic teams I support don’t always win, I am done with them.
• if my job doesn’t always excite me, I am done with it.
• if the friends I choose don’t always entertain me, I am done with them.
• if my family doesn’t always agree with me, I am done with them.
• If my country doesn’t always follow my road, I am done with it…and out of here!

What do you mean I have lost my mind?

 This is a holy plan. It must be. I learned this plan from church members all over the country. You know the teaching, “If every sermon isn’t incredible, I’m not coming back”…or…”if every hymn we sing isn’t my favorite, I am staying home”…or… “if the order of worship isn’t like it always was”…or “if my Sunday School class isn’t in the same room”…etc., etc.

 This plan is derived directly from the master plan of all master plans, you know the one, “if it’s not my way or the highway. Another way has no value so I am out of here!”

 After all, isn’t that exactly what Christ meant when he said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me,  that I shall lose none…”

Oops. My bad. Wrong theology, wrong faith. As a matter of fact,  wrong plan and  wrong life choice.

 Just another thought from the shallows….