I just returned from a week-long stay with my family in Florida. This was a solo trip to celebrate the life of my new niece, who is still camping out in the womb. I bought a one-way ticket because I was hoping and praying that I would be able to be with my sister for the birth. As I was packing my suitcase, I was thinking of everything I would possibly need to be away for a week. I flew Allegiant so I had to pay for every piece of luggage I was taking. I grabbed the biggest suitcase I owned, and started just piling everything in there. I had clothes for every possible occasion, even some workout clothes {which I never even pulled out of the suitcase}. I packed my smoothie maker, protein powder, makeup, facewash, flatiron AND curling iron, a bazillion pairs of shoes, and everything else you could possibly imagine. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out all of the activities, and was so incredibly afraid that I had forgotten something, or that something wouldn't work out like I had planned.
I was sure I had a 50lb limit at the airport. As my bag was thrown onto the scale, I sighed a big ole sigh of relief as the scale showed "49". I had made it! I was all good. Except the gentleman at the scale said "Don't worry about it. We'll let it go this time, but make sure you aren't overweight at the airport in Florida. They don't let anything slide." I was puzzled. Then they reminded me I only had a 40lb limit, so they were very generous with my 9 lbs.
All week, as we patiently waited in hopes that my sister would go into labor, I started accumulating more things I would have to pack in my suitcase to get home. I bought some new shampoo, brush and heat protectant spray at the salon; none of which are lightweights. My mom had bought some things to send home with me, too. I began to stress about how I was going to unload those 9 lbs, and still make room for the new goodies I had added to the stash. I started prioritizing what I could leave behind for my parents to bring when they come again. What could I live without?
Since my sister is still currently pregnant, I decided I needed to come on home. Cade had his first football game Friday evening, and I couldn't miss that. As I packed everything back up to come home, I put some things aside to leave there, but there were just some things I couldn't live without. I started analyzing the cost of replacing those items versus paying the overweight fees. Before I zipped it up for the final time, I had a mental list of what would be thrown out in the event I was still overweight at the airport.
I had an early flight, so the Rose's picked me up at 3:00 am. After making sure we had plenty of time, we realized we were at the wrong airport! We had to drive another 28 minutes to the right one, which was pushing it for time. We pulled up to the door, and grabbed my luggage only to see the line was CRAZY LONG for baggage check. They did have an online process in which you could get your baggage tickets printed while waiting in the line to speed things up. I logged in my information, and then stressfully waited for my name to be called. Except it never was. Finally, the lady asked if anyone was trying to get to Huntington. I yelled and waved my hand, and she met me with my luggage tags. I held my breath as I waited for her to weigh my bag. I didn't have time to go through and remember what I could keep and what I could bear to part with. She put my tags on, grabbed my bag and told me to run. She told me not to worry about the weight, she would take care of it. I was so relieved and felt like I could now focus on something far more important...finding my gate and boarding my plane in time. Rob had been home with all four of our kids for a week, and I could not even imagine his disappointment if I had to call him to tell him I missed my flight. I made it to the gate just as they were boarding. I was so relieved and just had a peace that I was finally where I needed to be.
This has been the story of my life these past few months. I have been so weighed down with stuff, circumstances, and relationships that just seem like they aren't as amazing as I think they should be. I have found myself holding on to hurts and disappointments, to the point of trying to fix everything in my own strength. I am pretty capable at most things. I am a problem solver, a go-getter, a "take-the-bull-by-the-horns" kinda girl. But there are just some things that aren't meant to be fixed by me. I also try to figure out every last detail of everything. I am a planner, and want to know the outcome, no matter what it is, just so I can be prepared. But my fear of failure or rejection often hinders my willingness to just trust and go with the flow. Jesus just asks that I give it all to Him and trust Him and His plans for my life.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV
How many times are we rolling that huge suitcase of life around, trying to decide what we can keep and what we can let go? How often do we try to analyze everything situation without just fully trusting in God's plans? It was so freeing to hand it all to the lady at the airport and not worry another thing about it. Why can't we just hand our baggage to the Lord and let Him take care of it? While I was home, I had to come to a point of just realizing there are some things I cannot control. And if I'm being honest, there really is nothing in my control, except my obedience to the Father.
One of my favorite Bible verses is John 10:10. It says " The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Satan has been actively using my baggage to steal my joy. Jesus didn't go to the cross for us to live a life defeated by our circumstances. That is not an abundant life. I was created for more than this. God says he has plans for a hope and a future {Jeremiah 29:11}, not defeat and discouragement. I have really been praying that God will continue to help me to hand over my hurts, disappointments and failures to Him, so that He may give me rest and an abundant life.
What about you? What baggage are you carrying? What can you give to Him today? He gave it all for you when He gave His life on the cross. The perfect Lamb took the burden of our sins upon him as he died a criminal's death. But it didn't end there. He defeated death and arose from the grave victorious. He is alive and exalted in heaven above. He did that because He loves you!!! My prayer for each of you is that you will know Jesus as your Savior, and find rest and peace in Him.
