“Hey, Ms Staton…..ummm…..we have a problem. It isn’t all going to fit. The truck is just about full and we won’t be able to get all your stuff in.”
Jimmy and I had discussed numerous times the size of the truck needed for our move…..20 feet, 26 feet, 20 feet, 26 feet. Just prior to the movers arriving, Jimmy and I looked over the boxes, totes and furniture thinking the lack of truck space was a very real possibility. We had even discussed what we would leave behind if necessary. Well, now for sure, the Christmas trees would definitely be staying and we also needed to decide what other items wouldn’t be making the move. Jimmy and I inventoried the remaining items and chose what to leave behind…..what we would no longer need; what we could do without; what wouldn’t be missed; and, possibly, what we would be better off without. By eliminating these items, we would leave space for what was valuable to us.
With the truck loaded to the very edge, the straps in place to secure the items, without space for even one more thing, the door was pulled down. We were moving the essentials and leaving behind the unneeded baggage.
Oh, if we could only look at our lives so objectively. What baggage are we carrying around? What are we moving with us that would be better left behind? As we inventory our lives, what should we choose to rid ourselves of in order to make space for what is most valuable? Are we holding onto anger or bitterness? Are we harboring guilt from things we wish we hadn’t done? Are we carrying regret for things we wish we had done or perhaps had handled differently? Do we cling to heartache, disappointment or resentment? We continue to use valuable space for emotions that we could certainly do without; emotions that definitely wouldn’t be missed if they were left behind. These feelings are excess baggage weighing us down; filling us with sadness rather than allowing us to find joy in every day.
Reflect for a moment and think of the possibilities – How much lighter would our load be without these heavy emotions? What peace we could experience each day by choosing to be happy…..by carrying only what is positive. What if we made a decision to leave the baggage behind and lighten our load…..make room for what is most valuable to us and brings us joy. Scripture tells us our Father is pleased to take our burdens from us – The Lord deserves praise! Day after day he carries our burden, the God who delivers us. (Psalm 68:19) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) What a joy it is that we can prayerfully ask God to relieve us of our burdens and the excess emotions that we are carrying.
Take time to inventory your life…..rid yourself of the emotional burdens and fill the truck of your life with love…..peace…..joy…..laughter…..kindness…..hope…..filling it only with what is worthy of the space in your heart!
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit Romans 15:13
Happy are the people whose God is the Lord Psalm 144:15
