What’s In Your Purse?

What’s in Your Purse?

I USED TO CARRY an industrial-size tote bag. It was good for holding everything I might need on a given day—and the next two weeks as well! The problem was that everything I needed for the day seemed to sift to the bottom and get lost in a pool of pens, breath mints—I swear those things reproduce on their own—and paper clips. To compound the problem, when I carried my big bag I got this terrible knot in my right shoulder. So I decided less is more and started buying only small bags.

But last week my pocketbook (as my grandmother would call it) felt like it was packing a brick! I thought what in the world can possibly be in this tiny purse to make it so heavy? After digging around, I found not one, not two, but five tubes of lipstick, $$1632 in change, and enough reward cards to feed the city of Dallas. How did I manage to let this stuff creep into my precious little accessory? I carefully unloaded the excess I didn’t need for that day, and my handbag once again was light as a feather as I slung it over my shoulder and bounced out the door . . . looking rather chic, I must say.

I’ve decided that life is a lot like my handbag. We don’t always collect all the distractions, stress, and schedules intentionally. But we do allow them to creep in. And it’s this stuff that often gives us a knot in our right shoulder or a splitting headache. Things like crazy, ridiculous schedules. And family and friends with dependency problems or other issues. Or sometimes our inability to take control and set our own boundaries is what makes our lives feel like a seventy-pound ball and chain.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

You know . . . you choose what you put in your handbag, and you have the power to take things out. Carry only those things you need for today. It’s time to start carrying that snappy little clutch!