clean up
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day”. Habakkuk 2: 3 (AMP)
These words really rang true to me these past weeks. I was itching to go. Our Friday night social group and church on Sunday 24th both gave me a wonderful farewell… and then…. I was back the following week and the next. I told my pastor the first farewell was just a dress rehearsal for the real thing which was still to come. This delayed departure was a very trying time for several reasons and during it I could see the Lord was trying to teach me that it was He who ordered our steps and it was all in His timing. I kept repeating ‘it’s all in the Lord’s timing’ sometimes several times a day just to remind me to keep trusting in Him.
Firstly I couldn’t believe how long it has taken to pack up house! Mind you I have been here 13 yrs and what with the business at home and being a bit of a hoarder I have collected quite a few belongings over those years. I remember arriving in Sydney in Dec 1995 with a suitcase in the back of a car I had just bought in Melb. I had flown to Melb for my younger sisters wedding having spent 3½ yrs in Thailand. I then drove to NSW to attend a conference in Katoomba. From here I moved several times for work and at each place I began to accumulate things as I needed them. I noticed how much I had collected every time I moved house which I did 9 times in the first 5 yrs.
This time around I had decided I would not be taking it all with me. No furniture only the essentials or so I thought! I had loads of treasures some of which I gave away to friends, some I threw out, others I passed on to second hand shops, some I advertised on Gumtree, and some I packed and sent back to Perth. In fact I think I sent too much back but how can you let go of things that MIGHT come in handy later on! I had to remind myself these are only material possessions which really have no value except for during this moment in time.
The Sunday 31st Aug, a week after I had planned to leave, 5 wonderful guys from church arrived in the afternoon and helped remove all my furniture. Some we literally hammered apart to get them down the stairs. I now have a garage full of furniture. I was hoping I could give most of my belonging to Tamba for his mission in Serra Leone. As I write this he is still looking for storage. “It’s all in the Lord’s timing”.
That Monday 1st Sep I started cleaning the house. I began with the lounge and bedroom walls as these needed to be cleaned before steam cleaning the carpets. Tuesday I stacked the car with goods to be dropped off at the second hand shop en route to picking up the carpet cleaner. I did the same thing on Wed when dropping it off. When I picked up the cleaner it took over an hour because their computers were down! Once again it repeated my new mantra ‘it’s all in the Lord’s timing’ and thanked Him for His patience.
The second thing that has been holding me back from leaving was the offer on my business. The buyer finally made up her mind the day after I had told her I was leaving Sydney. Fortunately my timing for my packing was out and I was still in Sydney! That was Monday 25 Aug. I immediately rang my lawyer to draw up the papers for sale. Little did I realise how LONG it would take. “It’s all in the Lord’s timing”. Once the papers are signed and the payment made I will then be able to ask the buyer to pick up the load of business items. More things that need moving before I can leave!
The last thing that has been holding me back is my hope that someone will turn up who will want to rent my place so that I don’t have to find a buyer for my fridge, washing machine and a few things I can leave behind for someone to set up house. On several occasions I was hopeful when someone seemed interested but for some reason or other it wasn’t to be. “It’s all in the Lord’s timing”. It might be that I have to sell it all. If so I’m prepared for that and have somewhere to stay when they go. In the meantime I have kept a mattress on the floor, my computer table, computer and printer which I need to print out the last packing labels to send the last boxes back to Perth. I’m hesitant to do the final pack until I have received the signed papers for the sale of the business. This I believe will be my sign to leave. And yes “It’s all in the Lord’s timing”.
God willing next update will be when I’m on the road!
Well what a busy lady you have been Sal, Lord bestow your patience as Sal waits for all to fall into line. Thank God for Christian friends who make themselves available when the need arises to help! Yes in Gods timing! Bless Sal abundantly and prepare her for the road ahead that you are calling her to walk. In Jesus name! Amen. Blessings abound. William.