Taking Inventory

The words taking inventory have been monopolizing my thoughts for the last two months.  First, because school was ending--and I always mentally take inventory of what I have done and what could have been improved.  Second, because this was the last year in my current evaluation cycle--a very thorough process--and there are always areas in which to improve.  Third, because I have had to pack up all of my stuff at school; I'm moving to a different room next year.  This has been a good process, because I purged quite a bit and really had to decide "do I really need this?"  And, fourth, because we are starting a huge remodeling project in our house.  We've live here over 20 years and done nothing to the inside--so it's definitely time!  We are putting in new floors, re-doing ceilings, painting, putting in wainscoting, granite countertops, etc.  This meant we had to pack up our considerable amount of dishes and knick-knacks in the living room, dining room and kitchen (actually, Lance did the packing; he's really good at that!) and we had to put all of the furniture and knick-knacks either upstairs or in the garage.  (And my boys, Brice and Evan helped Lance with that.  I've really had more of a consultation role in the whole process.)  It really does make you think about how much stuff you have--and the need to inventory.  I've also been taking inventory personally--where am I now, and where do I want to be?  What kind of a legacy do I want to leave?  In all of this examination I'm reminded of how it says in Ecclesiastes that it's better to go to a funeral than a party--because at a funeral we examine our life.  I'm at the age where funerals are more common--and where friends and family are aging--and I do have to agree with that concept.  Funerals and aging make us think about our life and force us to stop and take inventory and think about what needs to be changed.  This, however, isn't enough; I'm an idea person by nature, and have great ideas about things, but change requires action.  And, I can tell you from our remodeling that change is MESSY.  Sometimes things have to be moved around, even ripped up, in order to make the change complete.  But it is so worth it!  You might have to remind me of that next week, when we are still in the midst of the change process at the house, though!  :)   But change is a part of life, and we need it to be who God wants us to be.  I'm so glad HE doesn't change--that his eternal love is always there, in the midst of the chaos.