Inside the cupboards
They were moving and we had come to help pack the last of their belongings - a feeble attempt at saying good-bye to a family who had been such a huge part of our lives for so many years.
The men went to work on the heavy stuff while she and I went to work in the kitchen, the heart of the home, and my heart was beating quick as I tried to stuff deep emotions down from the surface. They were leaving our community, one in which their impact was great spiritually. They were going where God was calling. But the leaving was hard. Hard for them; hard for us.
So we opened cupboards.
Among the pots and pans, bags of tea and cans of soup, we found a forgotten package past its expiration date, some crystals of sugar from a hurried return of the container to its space. Bits and pieces of lives lived to the full.
We talked as we sorted and even laughed a bit as we boxed it up. I wondered how I would feel having someone, even a close friend, go through my cupboards - to possibly find some stray pasta that had escaped its container or some crumbs of crackers that left the tin. What would they think of my housekeeping skills? What would they think of me personally?
We, as women (sorry guys who might be reading...), consider men the prideful species but us women have our issues as well. It's a vulnerable thing letting someone in to the deep parts of your cupboard. It's even more vulnerable when you let them in to the deep parts of your heart.
But the deep is where the true connections are made, lasting bonds are formed and hearts forever joined. It was a hard day letting go but also a good day of growing a step closer as I saw just a wee bit more of this precious woman's heart.
Now moved for a couple years, I get updates from her on Facebook and some personal messaging. The family is doing well. They are just hours away and connections here will undoubtedly bring them back for visits. I hope so. We had a special day out and lunch together the day or so before the moving van actually pulled away. We talked and shared like we never really had before. I regretted that we had not done it sooner. I regret it still. We started out looking inside cupboards, then peeked inside hearts where God's love drew us closer together and His grace sustains us still.
Linking up today with Jennifer for #TellHisStory and Kristin for Three Word Wednesday along with Barbie from The Weekend Brew.
Linking up today with Jennifer for #TellHisStory and Kristin for Three Word Wednesday along with Barbie from The Weekend Brew.
16 comments
"We started out looking inside cupboards, then peeked inside hearts where God's love drew us closer together and His grace sustains us still." -- Isn't that just the way of it?! If only we could like inside hearts first! It's something I battle constantly -- looking at heart over what's in front of me. Thank goodness for a patient Father. :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Thanks for stopping here.
DeleteOh Mindy, this was such a heart warming post! I absolutely loved your heart and writing of this precious story of a sweet friendship.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts are deep, are they not?
Even with close friends we many times keep all to ourselves.
You have given much to ponder on here.
Thank you for sharing ~
Joy to you!
Debbie
We have moved three times in the last three years - every time it is so humbling and heart warming to have friends come help pack. I had some good laughs with a friend who thought she had discovered moonshine in my friendship. She was disappointed when I told her it was just hummingbird food! I agree, though, that sharing the deeper things is vital to healthy relationship and growth in Christ. It's not always easy to dig through the cupboards but it is always rewarding.
ReplyDeleteDeep is where the true connections are made! Amen :). What a beautiful weaving of words about a friendship
ReplyDelete"Bits and pieces of lives lived to the full." --> That totally sums up my house right now. With a few days of nice weather, the kids have tracked leaves and dirt into the house. There are crumbs under the table. The dishes are waiting their turn in the dishwasher. There are piles of clean laundry in one place and dirty laundry in another. It all used to bug me, but I'm seeing life in the imperfections now. I'm so grateful for that perspective. Thanks for sharing at #ThreeWordWednesday today. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThis is such beautiful truth: "But the deep is where the true connections are made, lasting bonds are formed and hearts forever joined." So glad to be your neighbor today, Mindy, at Kristin's place. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious story, dear Mindy, and an even sweeter friendship. Thank you for touching my heart this morning. Love to you!
ReplyDeleteThis is really beautiful, Mindy! I can't agree more with this: "But the deep is where the true connections are made." I'm bad about letting people into the deep parts of my heart. Trust issues :)... What wonderful moments you were able to have with this sweet friend before she left. That is definitely one of the perks of Facebook, being able to stay in touch with those who move away from us.
ReplyDelete"But the deep is where the true connections are made." Exactly. I have a friend who is moving this week actually, and I regret that we never got to know each other better. The times we did share were always soulful.
ReplyDeleteThere is something about women sharing their hearts and stories in the kitchen - whether it is over the counter-top or emptying the cupboards! Such a beautiful heart here! So glad I came!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely, thought-provoking post, Mindy. I have moved so often. I always pack myself but I let others help me unpack. Hopefully I do the same with my heart after I have moved--allowing others to help me unpack the "stuff" that I carry inside. Loved this. . .
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post, Mindy! You should submit it to Proverbs 31 or Incourage or something. It needs to be read by MANY!
ReplyDeleteYou are so wise, Mindy, and you possess insight into others that few ever experience. I'm so glad that you share it with us because it gives us so much to think about.
ReplyDeleteYou are a gifted writer as well and coming here warms my heart, makes me smile and hopefully makes me a better person. Thank you! I'm so grateful for your friendship :)
Beautiful analogy between our cupboards and the deep recesses of our hearts. I love how you developed your story through this analogy and gave us a peak into your own heart as well. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story, I understand what you meant about wishing you could have shared more earlier before the move. Great insight............you have me thinking!
ReplyDelete