by David Cassidy, Pastor at Christ Community Church
Dying must be worse than moving. Then again, dying is moving – but without the packing, which is infinitely better. I just moved for the fourth time in two years, and that’s it. I’m going all Psalm 37 now, putting down roots to dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. This may be due more to sheer exhaustion than spiritual insight, but it is the new normal. I’ve downsized, packed, carried, toted, taped, and tipped the movers for the last time. Well, in terms of houses anyway: the next one is feet first – ‘bag ‘em and tag em’ is the only move I have left.
I’m not complaining. All the moves were good and necessary and part of the great big plan that’s brought us to the place where we can sing ‘The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places.’ There are no regrets. Far from it. In fact, there’s a vital lesson in it all I’ve seen repeated over and over again: no one moves on their own.
Moving can’t be done solo. There’s furniture you can’t lift and carry on your own; there’re too many boxes to check on the transfer of utilities; the cleaning of the old and the new is just more than can be faced in isolation. ‘No man is an island’ is never more true than during a move.
Two Men and a Truck thankfully showed up as three men and a truck, and all their hands and legs were needed; friends from church stopped in and lent their backs and laughter; still others dropped off some terrific dinner; family showed up with new energy when ours was gone, helping with everything from cleaning to caring for a kid. We swept, mowed, and mended at the old place, and watched the renovation go down at the new place.
In the middle of this we also went to Disney World. Because we are CRAZY. The now 12 year old’s birthday fell smack in the middle of the move and the surprise party at Mickey’s domain had been planned long before any closing and moving dates had been finalized. So we went. It was a blast! They call it ‘The Magic Kingdom’ because you’ve never seen your money disappear so fast.
Until you move. Whatever you think it will cost, better add 10% to that estimate. When it comes to moving, the piper must be payed, and from masking tape and boxes to trailer rentals and new lightbulbs, there will be blood. You’ve heard the old proverb, ‘money talks’? When you move it mostly says, “See ya!”
The truth is, we’ve never been richer. The love of our neighbors, both old and new; the help of our friends and family; and the sheer wonder that the journey has brought us to this lovely paradise called the Old Charlotte Pike (we just call it The Shire), have made us incredibly thankful that we not only can’t do it alone, we wouldn’t want to do it alone. We are all made for one another – for neighbors and friends and family. Williamson County is filled with such love and I hope you will share some of that with those you know today. Especially if they’re moving.
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