The emotions involved with filling a dumpster is like a moment in time. All the things accumulated over the years stacked in the garage. Times of moving from house to house, times of children leaving and returning with sentimental things, and times of childhood possessions that remind me of my grandmothers.
It is also a time to wonder and reminisce of the special moments of placing the clothes of our first born in that now very broken dresser. The big green chair where our children sat, and played hide & seek under. Sorting through the furniture, appliances, and found pictures and wondering- do any of our children want any of this.
Later in the week, we met with all of our children for a familial dinner. We took them to the garage to sort through the things we thought would be special to them. It did my heart good to listen to their memories of that childhood desk, that green chair, the rotisserie no one wanted, and the VHS videos. It is heartwarming to hear them talk about our family favorite VHS- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The lines we still use today, that others do not know, like- “Is there anymore”, “Tat tat, looks like rain”, “Thanks for noticing”, and Elphalants and woozles steal honey”, just to name a few.
Living with no regrets is like filling that dumpster. Looking back over time and sorting the necessary from the no longer needed. It was a bit hard for me to let go of some of the tangible things of the past. But listening to my adult children’s fond memories of things past let me know, it’s all good! It is the memories that are built over time, not the accumulation of things that is expressed in love.
Some say grief is most dominant in Regrets of Omission, the things we intended to do and did not. As my family and circle of friends grow, may the Lord provide discernment in the things that are necessary and the things that are no longer needed, that I may live without regret. That my words and actions are sincere and a reflection of Christ.
I pray the same for you.
Always grateful,
Walking In Your Gifts 