The last year has been such a process of shedding off for me. I've shed pounds, worries, clothes, and material things. About once a month, Andrew and I go through some room or closet in our house and get rid of things we don't need or want. And we get SO excited while doing it. We have always been minimalists at heart, but now, we really are in practice as well. We work hard not to be drawn in by the things of this world. We try our best to teach our child that people are more important than things and when it comes down to it, we'll give away things just to make room for people. We leave this life just as we came into it, naked and with nothing in our hands. Therefore, things and materials should have no weight in our lives.
Recently, Andrew brought this verse to my attention: "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." (1 Tim. 6:6-9)
With food and clothing, we will be content. Food? Check. Clothing? Check, check. A bunch of other stuff not mentioned that I think I need for my contentment? Check. I'm not just talking about material things here. In my heart lately, I've been struggling with this infertility thing--just every day, wanting a baby and not getting one. I've let my heart believe that I need food, clothing, AND another baby in order to be content. When my mind knows that is not true--all I really need is Christ and what he chooses to provide for me. Jesus never promised me another baby, but he did promise to feed and clothe me (Matthew 6). The simplicity of this reminds me of Christ, himself, who came to this earth as a humble baby and had no place to lay his head. He also told his disciples to take nothing but the clothes on their backs and sandals on their feet. He lived this out. Jesus was the ultimate minimalist.
I think that's why I'm drawn so much to having so little. I want to be like Christ and live a life as close to his as possible. Recently, God has given Andrew and I much clarity in where our lives and our ministry are heading. We desire to live simply in a city that we love, with people for whom we deeply care, and dig our roots down deep in order to be the Light of Christ in that place long-term (really, until Christ returns or we die). This place is not Greensboro for us. Greensboro was always meant to be a temporary move. God has done great things while we've been here and we've been so well cared for, but now it is time to say goodbye. We feel confident in this next move--a move with purpose and longevity and mission.
We're moving to Nashville, Tennessee!
Nashville is a growing city with opportunity and life happening. It is diverse and centrally located between my family and Andrew's family. We have friends there and a church we can plug into right away. It is a city where our future business will flourish. And we already love the city. We are really excited for this move, since it has been well thought out and prayed about for over a year and a half. We are excited for new opportunities, new community and most of all, a place to put our roots down and STAY. We'd love to host people once we get settled, so come visit us! Pray for our transition in the meantime--that as we take our few belongings and start over in a new city, the Lord would continue to guide our steps and bless us with His presence as we seek to live life like Jesus, simply loving God and loving people with all we have.
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