Today we’re off on our first family vacation that doesn’t involve my husband’s company or my hometown – and we’re so excited! (Not that we didn’t appreciate the other trips – but this one has no agenda but to rest and relax!) We’re headed to Florida with Frappuccino Fun with Amy’s family and another family for one whole week. I don’t plan on spending much time on the internet, but we will be posting Frappuccino Fun on Friday – it will just be a little later on Friday than usual.
My mom, husband, and 2 traveling friends have all encouraged me to “pack light”. I’m trying hard, but I just “need’ too much stuff around me. I’ve never traveled with an understuffed suitcase, and I always have to pay extra when I fly. It’s my MO. My suitcase comes back to me everytime with a tag on it encouraging the baggage handlers to lift it with bended knees!
As I’m loading all of my stuff, I can’t help but think about “packing light” in the spiritual sense. What a gift it is to know that we don’t “need” to lug around all of our stuff – every day! When Jesus went to the cross, He took all our “stuff” with Him, and when we stay “confessed-up”, and depend on Him for everything, we have the gift of living lightly and freely.
It makes me think of one of my favorite verses from the Message Bible:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28
That’s what I’m hoping to do this next week… keep company with Him, and live freely and lightly – even though my suitcase weighs a ton! Have a great rest of the week, friends…