Another housesit begins today.
I am often asked whether I like housesitting. In the last year I have spent many hours of numerous weekends packing and unpacking, as well as cleaning a whole house or apartment from top to bottom in one sitting. I have been confused by the arrangement of utensils, crockery and cutlery in different kitchens, I have been baffled by the location - or the lack - of irons, saucepans, brooms and vacuum cleaners. I have housesat for periods of six weeks, five weeks, four weeks, three weeks, and two weeks; I have lived in houses, units and apartments; I have discovered buses, trains and walking routes in Bardon, Auchenflower, Woolloongabba, Highgate Hill, and West End. I have watered plants, taken dogs for walks, cuddled cats, fed worms, collected eggs from chickens; I have carried 15 or 20 keys on my keyring at once. I have struggled to develop and maintain routines; I have been overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I appear to need to take with me each time.
Housesitting has its challenges. But the answer is yes, I like it. The day I decided to move permanently out of my own unit in Highgate Hill was the day of my first housesit, a winter morning when I woke to sunlight streaming across the bed, and the Bible verse in my (sometimes) daily reading: "In my Father's house are many rooms." (John 14:2) I had a sense of hope. I knew that this verse was not originally referring to the present existence, but I felt God's encouragement nevertheless: "If you choose to move out, I will provide for you". And the last year has confirmed this; I have many more rooms than I need! I am blessed by an abundance of offers, and in the in-between weeks I am able to live with my sister and brother-in-law, a gift of being with family which brings me joy. When I am with them we share meals, cups of tea, fireside warmth, and veranda sunlight, and the daily commute includes a 50 minute train ride. When I am housesitting I catch up with friends in my local community, live more independently, get my exercise by walking to work, and enjoy new views, new places to sit, new ways to see. A year ago I could not have imagined I would be living this life, but life is full of unexpected surprises, and the abundance of more than we can imagine! I am grateful.
Packing awaits.
