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Thursday, July 19, 2007

Walk On


As I ran this morning, I listened to this.

And I thought about the lines to the song:

You're packing a suitcase for a place that none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen

And I thought that that is what we are all doing in this life-- packing suitcases. We have one go-round to put into our suitcase all that we can before we are finished with life on earth and move into eternity. For some of us, eternity will be spent in Heaven, others will spend eternity in hell, separated from God-- perhaps because of some of the things we chose to put into our suitcases. The things we chose to value over Him.

We all choose what goes in our suitcases: Some of us pack experiences; some pack things; some pack complaints and bitterness. Some pack the fruits of the spirit, which, as my daughter recited proudly to me the other day, are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. Some of us think that if we can cram enough stuff into that suitcase, we will win. Others of us know that we can't take that suitcase with us-- and that stuff is useless. Mother Teresa comes to mind.

Still others of us (me) are learning the balance of how to pack at all. Some stuff is good, and fine-- and even necessary like clothes, medicine, food, etc. And other stuff is just nice to have-- like little treats straight from the Father's heart. And then there's the stuff that isn't stuff at all. Experiences, memories, feelings, faith. It all goes in our suitcase. The trick is not to let the suitcase get too heavy-- physically or emotionally. So we don't end up dragging it through life, unable to experience the joy and freedom and abundance that was intended for us all.

And so, as I ran, I thought about the title to the song, "Walk On." Which is what we all have to keep doing every day.

To the single, bankrupt mom who has no place to live and wonders if God remembers: walk on.

To the business man who seems to have the world by the tail, but doubts inside that God truly loves him (He does, by the way): walk on.

To the stressed out mom who feels overwhelmed and incapable-- and wonders if God really knew what He was doing when He gave her these kids: walk on.

To the family in a bad place financially who is searching for answers and praying for deliverance from the bondage of debt: walk on.

To the man who struggles with pornography addiction and doubts a loving, holy God can forgive him: walk on.

To all those who hate their jobs but do them anyway to provide for their families. You are doing the right and fitting thing: walk on.

To the person who gives anonymously to people who will never know, but delights in the glory it brings to the Father: walk on.

To all those who strive for God's approval by outperforming and outdoing everyone else, hoping He will notice. Relax. He does. And He says: Don't walk so fast.

Walkin' on through another long, hot tv-free summer day...
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5 comments:

TheNormalMiddle said...

Hi Marybeth! I admire you for running. I don't run unless something is chasing me!

I sent you an email about tomorrow. My girls left today (unexpectedly) to go to the beach with grandma for the weekend. So it is just Reece and I tomorrow. We'd love to come down YOUR way and meet you. It would be so much easier...but if you still want to come here that is perfectly fine. I just want to make it easier on you if I can. We could meet at a park or somewhere near your neck of the woods.

Email me :)

Joni said...

Beautiful post, friend. Just beautiful.

Lori ~ The Simple Life at Home said...

That was such an encouraging post. Thank you for sharing it. I especially needed to hear that it's up to us to decide how much baggage we carry. Good reminder!

Christine said...

Hi Marybeth! I found you through Lindsey's blog. I am totally the stressed out mom you mentioned in that last section of your post. I think I have to unpack some things from my "suitcase" (beyond spit-up covered clothes...). Loved your post, and love your blog!

Kathy Gillen said...

Lovely thoughts for this morning...as I'm busy packing my children for camp.