Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
Pictured above are my husband, Danny's, and my suitcases which we've retrieved from the downstairs closet in preparation for our trip to Jekyll Island, Georgia, for Danny's 40th high school reunion. They are about the same size, the same weight, and practically the same color. Danny's, however, has a tremendous advantage.
He doesn't pack like a woman . . .
Okay, ladies, before you take offence here, let's be honest. How many of you could pack everything you needed for a both casual and dressy occasion in this sized suitcase? For me, it's impossible.
To begin with, I have to bring extra shirts and pants. Who knows when that drip of coffee or that splash of mustard will attack my clothing? Calling for a change into something fresh?
And, then, there is my new dress for Saturday evening's dinner and dance.
No way am I cramming this beauty into a case with jeans and T-shirts! It will have to lay flat on the back seat of the car.
Oh, and I simply must take my over-sized, fluffy bathrobe.
I wouldn't dream of hanging out on our hotel balcony in just my jammies. Heaven forbid!
Then, there is make up, special shampoo and conditioner, hand lotion, toothbrush and paste, contacts, comb, brush, dress shoes, beach shoes, slippers, hat, sunscreen . . .
You get the picture.
I'm so afraid I'll forget something; I even make a list of must-have items so I can check them off as I pack. The last thing I want to do on this fun and busy weekend is to have to run by a Wal-mart to replace an item left at home.
And, poor Danny wonders how he'll cram everything into the car . . .
~
While it is necessary to bring the material things we need with us when we go on vacation, Jesus reminds us in today's scripture that our spiritual walk with Him should be anything but burdened.
No purse. No bag. No sandals . . .
Traveling light. In His light.
For He has shouldered all our fears, our worries, our cares. Freed us from the bonds of sin and death.
And, we find joy in the journey.
Because, our Lord Jesus walks with us.
~
What baggage are you still toting on your spiritual journey?
Will you pray with me?
We thank You, Father, for vacations; times when we can escape the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and simply relax. Make us ever mindful to not let material things weigh us down or distract us from focusing on You. May we ever find joy in the journey knowing Your precious Son, Christ Jesus, is walking with us. Amen.
:D
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to it Martha!
I also panic before travelling for the fear of being inadequately prepared for anything there and left with a sorry face. I make a huge list of things to be carried and still when I am there I feel I could have squeezed in some more!
I guess its got to do with all us women in general :)
Thanks so much for visiting, Me!
DeleteI'm glad I'm not alone in this department! I think women, much more than men, want to make sure they've covered every detail when it comes to packing. Just praying we all travel light with the Lord!
Blessings to you!
It's ok, I had some extra room. I mean after all I have no hair and jeans can be worn for weeks.
ReplyDeleteExtra room, huh? I thought your bag was pretty full, but you certainly didn't have any overflow. Lol!
DeleteAnd, women can't wear jeans for weeks . . . :)
Love you, Danny, and so glad you left a comment here today!
Martha, you will be the belle of the ball in that dress! (Can you tell I’m in cliché mode still)? I always travel light because I sold all my worldly possessions and gave everything I owned to the poor; and when someone comes knocking at my door I tell them I gave at the office ;-)
ReplyDeleteHave a fun-filled trip! (and don’t forget the birth-control pills; you know that a woman can’t survive without the pill these days – God forbid! Pardon my tacky political correctness ;-)
Thanks for visiting, Debra!
DeleteOh, you are just too funny and definitely in the cliche mood, I see. Just love it!
Actually, the trip was this past weekend and I really did love wearing this dress. I don't often have the opportunity to do so because, even at church, I'm in jeans for the contemporary service. It was a lovely change!
I'll have more about the Jekyll trip in future Meditations. :)
Until then, don't do anything I wouldn't do and mind your p's and q's!
Blessings!
You do know I was joking about the pill, right? ;-)
DeleteCouldn't resist the sarcasm.
I knew it! :) I love your wit and your sarcasm always!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I learned to travel light and even lighter these days more for security purposes :P
ReplyDeleteIt does make me think if I could still pass as a girl scout because I don't bring so many emergency things with me.
But I love how it is with God. And how He takes off all our weight so we could fly back to Him with so much ease.
I feel it Martha :) And I love that we could hear, taste and smell this lightness too :)
I pray with you and I know you'll have a fab time with Danny :)
GOD bless your loving heart always!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Melissa, and for leaving such a thoughtful comment as always!
DeleteWe already went on our trip this past weekend, and I will be using many of our Jekyll Island moments in the meditations to come. Danny got some wonderful photos.
I'm glad you have learned to travel light, both materially and spiritually. How the Lord does bear our burdens that we can be free as a bird in His spirit! I'm so happy you could feel, hear, taste and smell the lightness here . . . we share so much in God's Holy Spirit, don't we? My, how we are blessed!
Blessings always, dear one!
Hi Martha:
ReplyDeleteI smiled throughout this. Chuckled a few times as well. A couple of things resonated w/me here and probably not for the reason most would think:
--And, we find joy in the journey.
In the movie, Peaceful Warrior there is a scene where Dan Millman is hiking in the woods w/his mentor. Millman is asking why they are there. When they seem to reach a stop, Dan's Mentor frustrated w/his questions looks down and picks up an arbitrary rock, hands it to Millman and says:
Here. This is why we're here. The mentor then sits down and glances away. It takes Millman a moment to realize the object of the walk was not the rock, but getting to the place. In other words, it was the journey not the conclusion. The journey is what brings us joy. us joy
--Because, our Lord Jesus walks with us.
I'm reminded of the poem:
Footprints:
http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com/index.php?page=Poem/Poem.php
--
Chris
Thanks so much for visiting, Chris!
DeleteOh, this is a great story you have shared here. It is all about the journey, not the destination, isn't it?
I, too, was thinking of the poem, Footprints, when I wrote this. :) We did it again, my friend!
Blessings to you!
Oh Martha, I can never travel light. I always feel the need to bring all my "girly" stuff LOL
ReplyDeleteBut the travel with Christ should be light and free from any burdens and distractions. How will we be able to give Him our full attention if we do otherwise?
Thank you for your beautiful reflections that taught me something today. Much love and God bless you always! ❤ :-)
Thanks so much for coming by, Irene!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I'm not alone in the packing department. :) All that girly stuff is a must!
But, yes, when we travel with the Lord, let us take nothing with us that removes our focus from Him.
Blessings and love to you!
I always make a mental list, check it twice, and always forget something. Usually my toothbrush. I have a collection now, it's quite something. I don't know any woman who doesn't overpack. You know, we just might need ten extra outfits for a weekend away. Have fun and travel safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting, Brenda!
DeleteYep! I think we are all in the same boat when it comes to over-packing. In my rush (long story) to get packed for this trip, I forgot sunscreen and garbage bags for dirty clothes. That's because I was in such a hurry, I didn't have time to consult the list I had so meticulously made. Boy, I sure learned my lesson! :)
Blessings and happy future packing!
Ah, we've just returned from a trip and my husband for the nth time tells me that I should pack light. "Less luggage more comfort" is what he lives by and I guess every man is so. I need to be organised and thus take care of every single detail when I travel and so I am like you who needs everything to be in place. This care for detail increases my luggage and leaves my husband a trifle irritated. He tells me that my heavy luggage spoils the fun of the travel. I know he's right but I think I am right too ;)And, I am a list freak as well.
ReplyDeleteMy prayer would be a thanks for the travel and the sense to not panic over details.
Joy always,
Susan
Thanks for stopping by, Susan!
DeleteAhhh, I see we are kindred spirits when it comes to packing! My husband thinks I bring too much, too, but he's a good sport and puts up with me. I'd always rather have more than I need than not enough.
Yes, let us give thanks for the chance to travel and see new places.
Blessings and joy to you!
in our girls bathroom where there were 3 girls sharing there would be about 5 shampoo or condition bottles apiece, for about 15 total bottles.
ReplyDeletein the boys bathroom shared by 5 boys there was one total bottle: generic shampoo/ body wash
have fun!!
Thanks for visiting, Annmarie!
DeleteOh, your statement here says it all, doesn't it? Somehow, we women just need the comfort of lots of toiletries and fru-frus while guys always get by with the bare minimum. :)
Blessings to you!