What We Carry with Us (7/28/2023)

My husband and I were checking into a hotel recently while on a trip to visit my family in Iowa. As he started to load the luggage onto the rack to take to our room, I handed him my purse and asked him to put it on the rack, too, while I grabbed some things from the back seat. The moment he took my bag his face formed that look of disbelief and he asked me, “What are you carrying in that purse?” It weighs a ton.

It is true. My purse is heavier than most and larger than most. It is like my apartment minus appliances. I have the usual wallet but also one of those metal card cases to prevent others from stealing my credit card information. I have my checkbook, several pens, and two sets of keys on ornamental chains. I have nail clippers, emery board, perfume, and breath spray. I have enough masks for a village. I have a small, hardcover book with elastic band for my notes.

That night I got to thinking. Why do I carry all that stuff around? Habit. I got in the habit of carrying everything I thought any one of my family members might need when we were out about when my children were small. And my husband came to realize that I had a purse and he’d give me stuff to carry for him. Before I knew it, my purse was like Mary Poppins’ bag. But my kids aren’t with me day to day any longer; they are on their own figuring out how to pack their purses or rely on someone with a purse.

This incident got me to thinking about all the things we carry with us, physical as well as emotional. Perhaps it is time for us all to think about what we could set down, what we should set down. I know that upon reflection, I realized that I carry a lot around that is from the past and only weighs me down. It is not a resource for the present but often a deterrent to openness to moment and the importance of presence.

As we continue on our journey, let us recall the LORD’s instruction to the disciples as He sent them on mission – they were to pack lightly – they were not to weigh themselves down with “stuff.” Let us seek to lay at the feet of our Savior and Lord those things we carry that prevent us from being open to the moment and to the needs of others in that moment. Let us also seek to lay down those security items that prevent us from opening ourselves fully to the LORD and the LORD’s will. I recall Christ’s promise, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourself. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Mt 11:28-30).

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.