Both times we’ve moved, I’ve made a big effort to get boxes unpacked as quickly as possible.

I find it hard to feel like I’m at home when I’m staring at cardboard and newspaper that once wrapped breakables.  And if I don’t feel comfortable in my environment, I get frustrated rather quickly.

But that’ just me. 😉

With our last move, I decided to keep all of our boxes in the guest room, and one by one, I was able to make them disappear over our first few days in the space.

Some people will find other ways to begin settling in, but for me, unpacking is one of the quickest ways to start really enjoying new home.

I know we won’t be renters for forever.

Or maybe we will.

Either way, I want to be thankful. Thankful for this time that we are enjoying and learning about the money God has given us and how He wants us to use it.

I also want to be thankful for the lesson He keeps having to remind me about: My identity should not be in anything but Christ.

A little over a year ago, I was without a job for nine months.  While part of my unemployment was by choice, there was still a longing for something to say when people asked me “So, what do you do for a living?”.

Through that season, God revealed to me my pride, and how I had put alot of self-worth into what I did for a living.

And sometimes I find myself slowly slipping back to that place, but instead of boasting that I’m employed, I want to shout say, I’m a homeowner.

So instead, for now I’ll choose to say proudly, I’m a renter, not because I’m prideful, but because I want to show gratitude that God has given us this place to call home and a beautiful community that surrounds us.

Living in a rental means that you’re probably living in less space than you would if you owned a home.

While our little place is more than enough space for the two of us, I love that we’re forced not to have too much excess {I can see G rolling his eyes at my ceramic animal collection now:)}  And even though we don’t plan on renting forever, I’m thankful this season is helping us keep things simple and defined to what we really love.

Hopefully, this is a lesson will keep reminding ourselves of daily, even when we have enough space for all my animal friends.