(Many of the school systems in our area start back tomorrow and others will begin in the next week. I wish everyone a safe, successful academic year filled with increased student success!)

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

Just when everyone gets settled into a comfortable summer routine, it seems the fun is interrupted and the big yellow buses hit the road picking up children to take them back to school. Whether you have a child in school, work in a school, or just travel a road that passes a school, you are affected when that bell rings to signal that school is back in session.

Students return to school lamenting the passing of lazy summer days and acting as if they don’t remember what they learned just weeks earlier. Faculty and staff return to school and seem surprised at the lack of prep time and rush to get everything just right even though they have done the same start up routine for many years. Commuters are late for work that first day the big buses run because they forgot how congested the roadways are during peak travel times and about the delays they encounter when they safely stop to wait for children to board.

I can’t help but see a connection between this back to school shock and my spiritual journey. I don’t know about you but looking back at my life I can easily identify times when I have strayed away or taken a “break” from my spiritual routine and training. Like those students who become lackadaisical over the summer and get out of the habit of studying, I have done that regarding my own personal, Christian growth.

It never fails – the spiritual vacation ends with the wake up call to go back to school – so to speak. With some grumbling and complaining, I work to get back in the routine of a life centered on Bible study and prayer. Once I am back in the groove, it all comes naturally and I feel better and function more efficiently when I am focused on the right thing – my life with Christ. 

As we get older, a reminder to return to “the way [we] should go” is important. Just like those students who are returning to their formal training and renewing the desire to learn, as Christians we need to return and renew our commitment to walking in the way of the Lord. 

So if you have taken a vacation from your spiritual journey or are experiencing the summer slide in your soul, take this opportunity to go back to school as a student of God.

Remember those basic teachings and make the commitment to stretch yourself this academic year and grow in your faith. The benefit you receive will be immeasurable. You just might be surprised at how much you will add to your life through your love of learning and the scriptures.

Train and discipline yourself in prayer and devote time to studying the Bible. Then, even though you “go on vacation,” you will not depart from it. 

When that alarm goes off each morning, remember:

Class is in session! 

“When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.”                                                                     1 Kings 8:54

Here is a bit of history and a safety lesson: 

In the 1950s, a number of fire incidents occurred due to flammable clothing. The trendy clothing styles during that time were fashionable but highly flammable. These accidents led to the Flammable Fabrics Act in 1953 which set a standard on the flammability of fabrics. 

Later in the 1970s, the National Fire Protection Association determined a need to educate people on what to do if their clothes become inflamed and developed a series of Public Service Announcements to offer instruction and educate the public. Out of this initiative came the Stop, Drop, and Roll technique. Through the PSA campaign this technique and message became so memorable and popular it was soon incorporated into all fire safety educational programming. In short, the message states that if your body or clothes catch fire you should immediately stop, drop to the ground covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over back and forth until the fire is out.

The classic Stop, Drop, and Roll phrase and the visual of the action required is vividly etched in my mind as many songs with movements were used to teach this when I was a child (yes, in the 70s). As a part of fire safety, it continues to be drilled with children at a young age so that the action becomes an automatic response should this ever happen. 

When you read today’s title you may have immediately envisioned this process.

Stop, Drop, and Roll.

You may be thinking, “OK, but what does that have to do with this scripture or this devotional?” Since this concept is so engrained in us, I found an additional, useful application for Stop, Drop, and Roll that can easily be applied and remembered as a Christian. 

Applying these same principles, you can improve your prayer life (with slight modifications). Try this:

When life heats up causing you distress, remember to STOP immediately, DROP to your knees (or drop your head covering your face), and let your concerns, needs, and praises ROLL off your tongue until you get it all out.

To make sure you’re prepared during times of crisis start practicing now so that it becomes an automatic response.

In the morning, STOP what you’re doing, DROP to your knees, and ROLL out your prayer for the day to the Lord. 

Preparing to eat lunch, STOP before eating, DROP your head, and ROLL off your blessing for the meal. 

Coming in from a long day, STOP. DROP. ROLL.

You get the picture. 

Look at Solomon, born in 1010 BC, as an example – this has been going on for years. Intentionally prepare for your prayer life the way we prepare for a lifetime of fire safety and security. 

As stated by the U.S. Fire Administration: Be prepared. Be informed. Be safe. 

Dear Lord,

At this moment, I stop and pause in your presence bowing my head before you to bring to you my requests and concerns as well as my praises. I want prayer to be my first response in all situations. 

Amen.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”               James 4:7-8

Each Spring brings the promise of warmer days and later sunsets, and there is nothing quite like seeing the first vibrant colors of this season with a little help from those April showers. We love this time of year and enjoy being out in our yard.

With that being said, my husband and I have spent a good deal of time (and money) – little by little – planting and adding flowering perennials along with some evergreen trees and shrubs to the landscape of our home since we moved here five years ago. It has taken us a while to find the right combination of plants in the best spots around the yard. 

In doing this, we have encountered a few challenges along the way. Two primary obstacles have been 1) the soil, which is hard clay and 2) the wildlife. Until now, we have always lived in a subdivision in a metro area. Here we are more remote – on purpose. There are a lot of benefits to being 20 minutes from just about everything.

When we picked the location for what we consider our retirement homestead, we selected this property because it is a spacious, wooded lot in the foothills of the beautiful North Georgia Mountains and home to a plethora of wildlife including a variety of song birds, turkey, fox, hogs, deer, bear, and an occasional bobcat. We love animals and never tire of looking for and watching to see who stops by on any given day. 

Considering our love for this more rural area and our wildlife neighbors, we did not anticipate that one of these furry friends would be one of our biggest problems – Oh, Deer! We underestimated the love the deer would have for some of our leafy additions to the property. It didn’t take long though to figure out what they like. First, they ate the hosta. Then, the hydrangeas. Next, the roses and the clematis. 

Oh, Deer …

Last year, we thought we outsmarted them as I researched deer resistant plants prior to choosing the replacements for my front flower bed. Proudly, I placed my hardy, floral finds in a carefully planned pattern for my husband to plant. All deer resistant … until they weren’t.

Oh, Deer …

Before my black-eyed susan could bloom, they were nibbled to nubs. Same with the some of the cone flower, roses, and yes – again, the hydrangeas (my favorite). 

I’m not giving in – the battle continues. We installed motion sensor lights near the plants which worked … until it didn’t. Moved all the hydrangeas to the back yard in the fence which worked … for the hydrangeas, but now the deer ate the lantana instead. They never eaten the lantana … until they do.

Oh, Deer …

So much for the deer resistant vegetation. I had to remind myself that these plants are deer “resistant” not deer “proof”!

Of course, there is a bigger lesson here. Turns out I’m a lot like those plants. As a Christian I resist the devil … until I don’t.  Somehow sin creeps back into my life – usually when I least expect it. If I’m lucky, the devil is only nipping at my heels and I quickly notice what’s happening, so I get myself back on track through intentional prayer and Bible study. There are times I neglect my spiritual needs for far too long and my faith looks like those poor plants after the deer graze – shredded, trampled, nibbled to the nub. 

Oh, Dear!

Just as I’ve learned that deer resistant doesn’t mean deer proof, being a Christian doesn’t make me devil proof – I am just devil resistant. 

Take the advice found in James chapter 4 and draw near to God so He will be near to you making you much more devil resistant. Even when you resist temptation, you can stumble, so remember to put on the full armor of God.

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”      Ephesians 6:13-17

(HI! I have been away from my blog for a bit and I have an exciting reason why – I am publishing a book! I got so wrapped up in editing the work for the book, I neglected to keep my weekly post … well, weekly. I hope this was worth the wait. I will keep you posted on the progress of publishing too. The book should be out by the end of summer. Thank you for encouraging me and for staying connected with through it all!)

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”            Psalm 118:24

I’m a thinker, a dreamer, and a planner. Consequently, this means I’m always looking ahead. I seem to always be in the process of hatching a plan of some sort or to have something new and exciting on the horizon. Although this means I tend to be a pretty optimistic person, there is a down-side … sometimes I miss what is right in front of me. In looking to the future, I miss something great in the moment. 

Do you have an app that counts down to a vacation or celebration? Is it tagged to your home screen as an ever-present reminder of something better that is yet to come? I do. BTW – It is 29 days until our next big trip. At our house, we are of the mindset that we should have a vacation planned before the current one is over, so we always have something fun to look forward to down the road. This is all well and good; however, the underlying message could be: today isn’t good enough. 

At times, we invest so much time, attention, and resources building up the idea of an upcoming event that we barely give notice to the extra in our ordinary days. That special holiday, trip, or occasion we desire and long for over an extended period of time comes and goes in what seems like the blink of an eye often leaving us let down because the experience did not live up to the hype. Our investment and expectations were too high. 

Conversely, while focused on the promise of the future we miss the awesome experience of today. This day. This day which is right in front of us is full of promise too – although we certainly don’t act like it. How many times do we dread going to work or seeing a certain person? How many times are we put out by the weather or the traffic or a change in family plans? We don’t expect anything different and treat today as mundane and routine thinking tomorrow will be better. And as the saying goes … tomorrow never comes. 

That’s why I’ve started making a conscious effort to be in the moment. One way I am doing this is by closing my emails with “Enjoy this day” – as a reminder. A reminder to the recipient of my email of course, but also and more importantly as a reminder to me!

Enjoy this day!

This day is the only one of its kind and when it is gone … it’s gone. This day will be filled with interactions that are one of a kind, words spoken and heard that deserve attention, and God’s beauty and grace reflected through nature and people around us. 

Enjoy this day!

Keep dreaming and looking ahead with great anticipation of upcoming celebrations, vacations, and accomplishments but don’t miss the joy in every day between those milestone moments. Take time right now to commit to finding the joy in this day. To be present in it. 

Don’t just countdown to vacation or a special day with excitement. Countdown to today, each day. Anticipate the goodness God has in store for you each time the date changes.

Enjoy this day!

What are you waiting for? 

Enjoy this day! I know I am.

^“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Act 2:42 (NIV)

I count myself lucky to have been raised attending church. My parents instilled in me the importance of church as part of our daily life. I attended church kindergarten (long before public schools offered kindergarten as an option) and was an active participant in every group offered for my age from the cradle to college. My friends all attended church too. Basically, if the doors of the church were open, we were there. I guess you could say I grew up in the church. 

As often happens, there is a segment of my life (a few years) where I was not involved in church. Those were my college years. I was not the kid that went away to school and joined the faith-based religious groups you see on most campuses. I was just too busy and, quite frankly, uninterested. Rising early for classes, studying late into the evening, hanging out with friends into the morning hours, and sleeping in on Sundays kept my focus elsewhere. I wanted to spread my wings and do my own thing to which you may relate.

Settling down and getting married, my husband (who also grew up in church) and I began our life together and, somewhat naturally in time, made church membership a priority. 

Membership was a priority; however, attendance wasn’t always at the top of our list. That is, not until we had children. Becoming a parent has a way of making you feel unqualified and a little bit helpless. Suddenly you have this tiny human for which you are totally responsible and nothing you have done or read has prepared you for the experience or the feelings that go along with it. 

Young, married, and now parents, church moved back to the top of the list of places to be. We realized we needed church. Not the building, but the fellowship. The fellowship with God, of course, but also other Christians. 

None of us were meant to do this (life) on our own. 

Now that our kids are young adults, I see them in the same pattern. As a parent, I tend to try to find ways to encourage faithfulness through the way that I live. On the occasion that I recommend church attendance and membership, one of my children has said more than once, “If I sit in the garage, it doesn’t make me a car … sitting in church doesn’t make me a Christian.” 

It is hard to argue with this logic. It’s true. We put a refrigerator in the garage five years ago and it is still a refrigerator. So no … sitting in church doesn’t make you a Christian; however, joining and actively participating in a church community helps you grow as a Christian and offers so many other benefits. 

Churches are filled with imperfect people, not perfect Christians. Membership and attendance at church is a way to stay connected with your faith finding strength and encouragement from other people like you. It is a way to stay close to God and His teachings. 

Some people wait until things go wrong before they step into church – a last resort. There is nothing wrong with that, but when that happens that one step seems like a giant leap. To be among a group of believers through the good times and the bad doesn’t require such a leap when you’re at the end of your rope.

I park my car in the garage to protect it from the elements. When I don’t and there is a hard frost, I spend a good deal of time thawing the car out and scraping the windshield. The same way the garage protects my car, the church is a refuge for my soul. When a season of hard frost batters my being, I am already wrapped in the warmth and protection of my God with the prayerful support of others as well.

Just something to think about when Sunday rolls around and you think should I stay home, or should I go … you should go. I guarantee you will receive a blessing for your efforts. 

Remember:

 ^“let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 

Hebrews 10:22-25

(I have been offline with my writing for a couple of weeks. I have a couple of new projects I am working on so I am trying to get back in my writing routine. Thank you for reading and faithfully following!)

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7 (NIV)

Standing at the cash register swiping his card again, the same message was repeated by the cashier, “It says declined. Insufficient funds.” The man continued to try the card over and over not understanding why his purchase wouldn’t go through. Time and again, declined.

Imagine the feeling as the line grew longer with impatient people. All shaking their heads and checking their watches. Maybe you know this feeling very well. I do. This happened to me recently with a gift card … yes, a gift card. Apparently, the gift card number was compromised and had been depleted leaving me at the register under the spotlight of shame, not wanting people in the store to think I had no money or that I was trying to get by without paying. As bad as that felt it was only a gift card, and I easily switched payment methods; however, I still had that feeling. Worthless. Whether it was me or the card, the message is the same – declined … insufficient.

There are many people we pass each day that play this message in their head over and over again – as if they were swiping that card for electronic payment. Maybe they are really at rock bottom experiencing insufficient funds or maybe they feel worthless because of how someone has treated them. Maybe they feel like they will never amount to anything. Maybe you feel this way today.

If so, I am here to remind you of God’s love and your true worth.

You will never be “declined” by God. He accepts you and me just as we are. Always remember, you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

Even more than that, you are never “insufficient.” In Philippians 4:15, we are reminded we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens …” us. The Bible spells it out. “[God’s] grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

So no matter what the balance is (or isn’t) in your bank account and no matter how other people make you feel, “… you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,God’s special possession …” (1 Peter 2:9).

That is priceless!

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

(Sorry I missed posting last week. Since I waited a week, I thought this title would be appropriate.)

The angel said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you. Matthew 28:5-7 (NIV)

I like to watch movies whether in the movie theater or streaming one at home. I am one of those people who likes to stay engaged until the very end. Not just to the end of the movie’s action but also through the credits. Of course I like to get my money’s worth, but it’s not just that. You never know what might happen next.

I can’t remember what year it was or the exact movie when a clever director began to incorporate more of the drama or story into the credits to get people to watch them. One example I can think of is at the end of Ferris Beuller’s Day Off. There is an entire scene with Ferris’ beloved principal, a ragged Mr. Rooney, catching a ride on a school bus after failing to beat Ferris at his own game.  The whole scene is played out while the credits are rolling. Then the screen goes dark briefly before Ferris, played by a young Matthew Broderick, reappears. I remember getting up and then sitting back down just to be told by Ferris, “You’re still here? It’s over. Go home.” What a great way to get people to stay engaged. 

This still happens at the end of movies. Some directors add in movie bloopers and others give you more of the story. Either way, it keeps the moviegoer engaged wondering what’s next.

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. What a glorious celebration and the incarnation of the promise of God. 

But wait … There’s more. 

That wasn’t the end. Christ on the cross wasn’t the last time Jesus’ followers saw him. There are eight different accounts in The Bible of Jesus’ appearance to others after he arose and before He ascended into Heaven. 

But wait … There’s more.

Those physical appearances that the disciples and a few others were privy to still aren’t the end. We can see Jesus and His work today – in the smiles of others when we need a friend, in the kindness of a stranger, in the small miracles that surround us – a sunrise, a bird’s song, the new bud after the final frost. We see Him in the answered prayers and in the unanswered as well. 

For me, I tend to take Him for granted. I know He is there, but I don’t always acknowledge Him like I should. Then, when I least expect it, He appears more vividly than ever. He is reminding me – 

But wait … There’s more!

Today, stay engaged and be reminded Jesus will come again. We will see Him face to face and He will take us home. Until then, just wait … There’s more!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”          Peter 1:3

The church we attended while raising our children had some precious traditions during Holy Week. One of my favorites was the flowering of the cross. As you may have experienced, we attended a service on Good Friday that focused on the suffering of Christ and His death on the cross. It was a somber service, one which concluded in a dark, unadorned sanctuary. We parted in silence to mourn our savior’s sacrifice and reflect on all that Jesus suffered for each of us. 

When we returned on Easter Sunday morning to celebrate our risen Lord, the solemn, dark sanctuary was transformed for this bright new day. The rugged cross with nails and dark draping had come to life blooming with flowers. This symbol of suffering was made beautiful. The cross in bloom is an image I carry with me and love. 

Easter is a turning point in various ways. Our season of weather begins to shift. Winter turns to Spring. Barren trees produce green leaves again and the first flowers cheer us with their beauty. The change of season causes us to rotate our wardrobe too. Goodbye, turtlenecks and sweaters, dark colors and scarves – Hello, shorts and sleeveless, floral prints and Spring colors. All are turning points; however, the ultimate turning point at Easter should be marked by our Christian walk and new birth in Christ. 

As the flowers begin to bloom all around us, this is an excellent time to evaluate our faith. 

Today, is your faith in full bloom with living hope, just beginning to bud with so much more faith to unfold, or stuck in the bleak mid-winter … the frozen chosen?

Our faith, hope, and rebirth in Christ Jesus should be flowering in full bloom just like that Easter cross. We are given the promise of eternal life sealed through Christ’s sacrifice.

Be in bloom! 

Bloom with the hope and promise of a better tomorrow and the knowledge of the gift that awaits us when this race is done.

During this time of renewal, rebirth, and new life, bloom!

Make sure you are flowering for others to see and to be encouraged by the Christian life you live which was given by Him.

Not a Christian yet? There is no better time than now to come alive in Jesus Christ. 

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the sacrifice of your son for my sins, which are too numerous to name. I pray that the excitement and joy of the Easter resurrection will be reflected in the way I live for you, every day. Help me to surround myself with others and experiences that nurture me so that I can be in full bloom for you all year round. 

Amen. 

“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”  Matthew 27:27-31 (NIV)

As the season of Lent comes to a close, we are in the midst of Holy Week. 

This last week of Lent includes Palm Sunday (Jesus’ triumphal entry in Jerusalem), Holy or Spy Wednesday (betrayal of Jesus), Maundy Thursday (washing of the feet and the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples), and Good Friday (Jesus’ crucifixion, or Passion of Christ). 

As I sat in church joyfully waving my palm branch and smiling at the children gleefully participating in the processional this past Sunday, I was overcome with the excitement of the season. I easily felt a small part of the happiness that filled all those who traveled great distances and cheered, “Hosanna in the highest!”

I began to think ahead to next Sunday – Easter Sunday. I was filled with excited anticipation of a church filled with those coming to celebrate our risen Lord. The new clothes, Easter dresses and suits with colorful ties, the children with baskets full of goodies, blooming lilies, the first signs of a Spring renewal. 

It is easy to enter and move through Holy Week focused on celebrating. Celebrating Jesus’ entry into the city and celebrating His resurrection. But, if you only focus on that – the good, happy parts – you are missing out. Holy Week to me is more about the way Jesus became ‘wholly weak’ by taking on and becoming the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. This is a time for us to focus on the emotional and physical struggle experienced by Jesus before we join to celebrate His resurrection on Easter Sunday morning.

We already know that Jesus came to Earth as a baby and grew into a man living and experiencing life as we do. He experienced loss, joy, hardship, and celebration. Yet, when we experience extreme emotional and physical pain we tend to think our affliction is far worse than what anyone can fathom. But, God can. He can because He sacrificed His only son who suffered the unfathomable in body and spirit. 

Matthew chapters 26 gives an account of Jesus’ time just before His arrest as He retreated to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane with three of His disciples. Matthew 26:36-37 reveals His great struggle, “… and [Jesus] began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to [his disciples], ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death …’” In chapter 27, after His arrest, we find Matthew’s account of the physical torment Jesus received leading up to the crucifixion. Stripped, beaten, spat upon, and mocked. 

Jesus became wholly weak … for you and me.

As we draw close to the cross on Good Friday and leave our savior in the tomb, make it a time of reflection on the sorrow and pain endured on your behalf. Think of your own sin and weakness, leaving it all at the foot of the cross where it belongs. Then, we can emerge together from the darkness into the light of the resurrected Lord this Easter Sunday morning.  

(As we are out on an adventure today, I thought about this one for all of you soon to be Spring Break travelers … )

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything that I need.”    Psalm 23:1 (NCV)

In my life, I have been fortunate to be able to travel a good bit. Nothing very exotic and often not too far from home, but traveling nonetheless. 

As a young adult when I packed for a trip, I always over packed. If I was going to be gone for a week, I packed enough clothes for two weeks. I liked choices. I didn’t want to be caught unprepared for certain whether or a special occasion that might unfold along the way. 

Later as a young parent traveling with children, we would leave the drive way in a minivan piled high with anything and everything for the kids. I am not sure my husband could see out of the rearview mirror!

Growing older, and I like to think wiser, I began to realize how senseless this was. This packing to the extreme. I would come home from a trip and discover more clean clothes still in the suitcase than dirty ones worn on the trip. So, it finally clicked. It was useless for me to over pack. I didn’t need to plan for every “what if.”

As soon as I realized this, I began to leave a little more at home each time I traveled. Oh, I have taken baby steps … an item here and an item there left behind knowing I could really do without it. 

Now, I think I have truly mastered traveling light. Going to the beach? Throw a bathing suit, two t shirts, shorts, sunscreen and a toothbrush in a bag and I am out the door. An overnight trip to the mountains? Grab a jacket, a sweater, jeans, and a toothbrush (of course – always the toothbrush) and I’m gone.

One day I noticed the joy of traveling light. I was happily rolling along with one small suitcase and not struggling with 3 or 4 bags. It was truly liberating.

Now, if I could only do that in my daily life. 

I am the world’s worst at dragging along stuff I don’t need on a daily basis. I tend to leave home with extra baggage, physically and emotionally. I hold on to worries and woes, anxieties and personal drama. Then, I pack them up and tote them around as if I might need them for something. 

Don’t get me wrong – I understand we all accumulate extra baggage as we travel through life. We just don’t need to take it everywhere we go. There is a time and place to pull out and deal with some of those “things” in our life. There is also a time to start setting things aside and moving on without them. 

We are wise to realize this now and pack light on the days that we can to live in the moment. Don’t live each day in the regrets and consequences of the past or the worries and fears of the future. 

Live for today. Pack light for the trip at hand. Take along just what you need for today. As we read in today’s scripture, as long as you take Jesus on each trip you will have everything that you need. Even if you realize you left something behind, He will provide the right thing at the right time. 

Travel light with Jesus and you will feel better for it. (maybe take along a toothbrush, too!)