Luggage

My oldest daughter has two little girls, one 3and one 6mos old, a hard working husband, a dog and an 80 year old home that they have been renovating since they bought it 4 years ago this week.

Atypical of most young women( most can't miss a good shoe sale) she never met a piece of luggage she couldn't find use for! From pocketbooks to diaperbags, she has amassed a collection Imelda Marcos would envy.

I recently visited her out of state residence. My plan was to spend 3 days at her house. So in my usual style of packing I grabbed my make-up case some clean underwear, 3 oldie but goody sweatpants, 2 funky tee shirts and a sweater. Shoved them in the nearest tote to the dresser, and drove off into the setting sun. I' m very much a low maintenaince women. My wardrobe has to be practical, day to evening wear. And what works better than stretchy spandex for sleep or play with the grandkids?

Anyway, I do have this one fabulous tote bag that my daughter gave me, I fill it with my bible, candy, tampons, aspirin, bandaids, pen, paper, gum, 2 pair of sunglasses, a pair of shoes, and a bottle or 2 of water & some granola bars, not to forget the various C D's & cassettes of music I constantly love to play as I travel. This bag sits right next to me on all trips.

As I was driving to her house I thought of Mary Poppins with her Black Bag dropping from the sky with umbrella in hand. I thought of Felix the cat who could solve any problem with his magical bag of tricks and I thought of my daughter.

I remember training all my children at an early age to pray and learn scripture. When they were infants I laid hands on them and blessed them. As preschoolers we sang scripture verses and had table grace as well as the bedtime prayers and readings. By the time they started school it was our habit to pray at breakfast for the day ahead, teachers, classmates and activities. I drove them to school and we would find something to be thankful for each morning and finish the ride by reciting the 23rd psalm , John 3:16, the Lords prayer or the beatitudes. I was packing them for the long life journey into each new day just like Duetoronomy challenged me to.
Those years went so fast and before I knew it I was shouting out prayers for their protection as they took themselves off to school with driving friends or by virtue of license a family vehicle.


Upon arrival at my daughters, it was easy to see what a diversity of roles she now played at a moments notice. Diaper bags, school bags, gift bags, laundry bags, recyclingbags, and earth friendly shopping bags, were in every corner of her existince. She certainly does get organized and packed up for every task of her busy household. But what most impressed me was my grandaughters statement at lunch the next day. Olivia stopped before taking a bite out of her PB&J and asked me to say a prayer for our food! It was at that point that I new the best container for Gods love for us through Christ is the Life of a child!!! My daughter really knows how to pack! And I'm sure that she has everything she needs as she esteems the reality of Christ above all else.

When we lift Jesus Higher than anything else in our life He draws all men unto himself. Teach your children about their lord when they walk ,sit , play, eat, at all times model Him. As mothers we can't go everywhere our kids go, but we don't send them out alone . We must know that they too will walk with god.

I Guess I taught mine how to pack literally & spiritually,and now she is teaching hers.