Whatcha got in that bag you’re carrying?
I was relieved when I left the mall. But, didn’t last long. Relief over finding what you need at the mall fades quickly when the infamous red and blue lights of a police car start flashing through the back window of your car. It totally disappears when that authoritarian voice says “Please pull over” over the loudspeaker, and you realize they are talking to you.
Tears came to my eyes before I could even roll down the window. “Ma’am? Do you know why I’m pulling you over?” I’m quite sure I heard the jeopardy theme… hard to tell over the rain and fading siren, sound. I didn’t know. I didn’t have a clue. He firmly enlightened me. Then he asked the hardest question of all… “Can I have your Drivers license, registration and proof of insurance? ” “Yes, sir” I said. Tears running down my cheeks, feeling a little like a criminal, but not sure why.
I started to dig through my purse. I (eventually) found my drivers license. (stuck between 15 target receipts and a piece of unwrapped (thankfully unchewed) gum. The insurance card? Nope. The registration? No matter how much I dug through my bag it wasn’t there. It was in the glove-compartment. The officer took what I found and told me to keep looking for the insurance info. No luck. Sure- I had all the feminine “necessaries” (Which I managed not to dump in my lap, at least) I had gum and mints and a camera, my ipod, a journal, pens, change, 57 store discount/frequent buyer cards, an unwrapped hershey kiss, way too many grocery receipts, expired coupons, enough makeup to paint a barn like a clown, but no insurance info. The officer eventually came back to the window and handed me my “gift”. A big fat ticket.
At home- I found the insurance info I’d needed. Buried under all the “stuff” I carry around everyday. Stuff I “might” need. Stuff I “might’ want. Stuff I find hard to let go of. Stuff that makes my purse leave angry red marks on my shoulder and would probably make a chiropractor cry. There is too much junk in my trunk. So much that I can’t find what I need.
What are you carrying around? Not just in your bag… but in your life? Are you carrying around a bunch of busy-ness that weighs you down and wears you out? Are you carrying around baggage from a past that is full of pain? Is the weight of a bag full of guilt tearing into your shoulder? Let’s clean out our bags together…. and lay the messy bits and pieces at Jesus’s feet…. I’m pretty sure he can help us sort out what needs to go. He may even carry them for us!
Matthew 11:25-30 NIV
“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Dear Jesus,
I love you, and I need your help with all that I’m carrying. Please help me to let go of what needs to go, and to hold onto what needs to be held. In my actions, my attitudes, my choices and things… in all things God- I ask you to clean out my bags. I love you Lord- amen
- Mr. T always said, “Be Somebody..or be Somebody’s fool.” And I always wanted to be somebody…..
- Shadow and Light
Our whole family of 7 had strep throat this week (except 1 son). Thank the Lord it was spring break! My bag was full but the Lord helped me carry the burden despite my rotten attitude. My Lord took care of this sick, tired, and oh so complaining child; and I am grateful for His tender kindness last week – and every week!
Please enter me.
This was awesome, bless you.
Thank you for this reminder….
And the proof of insurance he’s looking for…the only “thing” worth carrying in this flesh?
A surrendered heart.
It will be counted as gain, nothing else.
Thank you for the reminder to unpack my clutter and to get on with the business of my heart.
peace to you this week~elaine
Wow. What an insightful post and so beautifully written. It hit right to the heart. Thank you.
fabulous post. totally just spoke to me today.
Wonderful post!
Life is like a our set of luggage. (Not trying to be Forrest Gump here…) Sometimes we have stuff hanging out of it. Sometimes it looks good on the outside, but it’s a mess on the inside. Sometimes it’s full of dirty laundry. Sometimes our bags are full of scuff marks and scratches, but it’s still fully useful. Sometimes we have all the markings of being well traveled (with stickers and travel tags) and our luggage can tell a better story than words from our mouth. No matter what our luggage looks like, what is filling it or how heavy they are, it is best to hand it all over to the “Porter” and to let him carry the load. The bonus is that he gives us the “tip” in the end!
Wow! This is exactly what I needed to hear! First it made me laugh…
(eventually) found my drivers license. (stuck between 15 target receipts and a piece of unwrapped (thankfully unchewed) gum.
I’m glad it’s not just me who ends up with little surprises like that. But when I got to the end it was a wonderful reminder! I have a stack of “life” to take care of this week, and you just reminded me of a couple things God has told me to dump. It’s freeing, thank you!
Oh dear – I am so sorry that you were pulled over. Did you go to fast? Was one of your lights burned out?
I had to giggle though, because I never seem to find what I am looking for, even though my purse is really not that full (I always pull out my receipts every night and I toss store coupons at the store, because I don’t use them 😳 )
But you are right Tracey, we often carry to much “junk” in our lives that we should be giving over to Him.
Thank you for sharing your honest heart with us.
What a blessing to KNOW we can take it all to HIM!
Yes, I have bags. Today I carry a bag of my past. My post abortion Bible study has left me heavy hearted. Unsure where to shove the pain this time. I’ve dealt with it before but now it’s time to deal with it again. A little deeper. In a group. And before an all mighty God. The God of all comfort.
So needed the reminder of this verse.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Thank you, Tracey. And sorry about your ticket.
Boy did you hit the nail on the head with this one. All can identify with this. I am working so hard on unloading the guilt bag from the past. I let God have it and let him throw away what isn’t needed. I thank him for his mearcy and love. If only I was so lucky to have someone to clean out my actual pocket book I would be so happy. But as long as God is working on my Spiritual one the rest will fall into place…or break my shoulder!!!! Thank you for this devotion.
Love and Prayers
Angela
oooh this is a really good analogy! sorry you got pulled over though but at least you found your insurance card, when things like this happen to me I know its’ time for a good clean up of all my clutter…
Tracey, this was awesome! Thanks for sharing. I love your sense of humor and your willingness to allow God to teach you such important life lessons and your honesty in putting it out there for us to read!
Blessings,
Tracy
Tracey,
Once again your writing is witty, funny and filled with the truth of the Lord.
Tracey, thank you…..
Hi! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading through your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same topics? Thank you!