The aftermath of
goals met and dreams realized.
A new home in a new city.
Jubilation mixed with exhaustion.
Bitter mingled with sweet.
And with us comes
boxes
upon boxes
upon boxes
of things.
Prized possessions mingle with the worthless.
Great-grandma's silver spoons wrapped in tattered baby blankets;
I can throw away neither.
Those canning jars...
I may use them again someday.
Decisions to be made
about the perfect place to put our things.
Figuring out the perfect sofa
for that spot in front of the windows.
Our little kingdom is full
just as my heart is stuffed.
And yet,
I dream of more.
I plan and save and shop
trying to choose well amidst
a plethora of options.
I throw something out
only to bring home
three more things.
While there's nothing wrong with abundance,
my mind is overwhelmed with things
and I wonder where my heart is set.
Walking away from the boxes,
past my tidy lawn
and carefully pruned bushes,
I wander beside the prairie
and through a meadow
dotted with pines.
My eye is captured by wildflowers
blooming bright blue and yellow under a glorious sky.
Unplanned,
un-purchased.
Growing in simple beauty,
not concerned with patterns and borders
and sprinkler systems.
They have no use for things,
no need for
fertilizer, mulch, pots or pruning shears.
Yet they are more beautiful and abundant
than the designed and deliberate
garden of my little kingdom.
They are free and unhampered
to grow and bloom where they will.
I turn back to my home
with a wildflower bouquet in hand,
not to uproot my lawn and throw away all my things,
but rather to
hold them loosely.
To use and enjoy the things of earth
instead of letting my mind and heart
be owned by them.
To plan and serve and work
while setting my heart
on His kingdom.