House & Stuff

One of the strangest experiences during our recent trip back in Southern California was visiting our condo in Irvine. We have been renting it out for the last year and we made one trip to our place to see our tenants (a married couple). The kids were excited as they returned to our home after being away for 12 months. When they walked in, it was a strange sight - to see people in our home. Sei walked straight to the room which used to be their bedroom and playroom, only to see it full of their belongings. I think he wanted to look for some of his stuff, but all of it has been packed away (somewhere). Our visit was brief, and included an agreement by our tenants that they would be willing to stay in our place as long as we needed them to. The place looked great, especially with a large flat screen television in the living room - the same living room where we spent countless hours as a family (with no TV), ate meals together, had small group Bible studies with friends - the same living room where we delivered Tomoki (in water birth pool). We took one photo as a family and left. It was totally strange to feel this way in your own home.
Most of our stuff that filled this home was packed in boxes and is currently being stored in numerous places with family and friends. I'm sure Megumi has kept some record, but for me, I have no idea where all of our stuff is.

And that's what it is - stuff. I thought about how hard we worked to fill our place with stuff, and now I didn't know where it all was. But what the heck - it's all replaceable anyways.

There is a touch of freedom or liberation in seeing your house and your stuff through an eternal perspective. "For this world is not our permanent home, we are looking forward to a home yet to come" (Hebrews 13:14). What a gift it is to have our grip on this place a bit less tighter. Sooner or later it will all fade, rust, or be eaten by moths - if not stolen. In the end, the treasure is found in only one Place. As we were walking out, Hana asked if she could get her purple bicycle and helmet, which was stored in the garage. We asked permission from the tenants to go and retrieve them. Hana had a huge smile, even if the tires were flat. We packed it in the van, and took it to my sister's house, where it waits for Hana's return.

Only one life twil soon be past, Only what is done for Christ will last.