The Pocketbook

I previously mentioned in"Luggage" my connection to pocketbooks. I must expound on the tremendous value of choosing the right one. Although we all look for style, color, and size to fit our lives into, the outside is probably not as important as the inside.

At my last yard sale I sold 12 purses. Leaving me with only 10 assorted handbags to adjust to my wardrobe. I kept a brown suede to match my boots and jacket, a beaded and embroidered denim for any casual occasion, a black crocheted mini bag, a navy clutch, a white shoulder bag, a copper evening purse, a multi colored striped black leather evening, my fanny pack, a dove grey silk dress bag, and my olive green tote. When I was deciding which ones would stay and which would go, it was a very emotional experience. There were those that had served beyond the call of duty( like the pink barrel bag that would hold the contents of my medicine cabinet). And those that were destined to belong to a trendier youth( like the neon green). But the hardest one to cull was one of those that converted from a business style, expandable, multi-compartmental, cell phone sectioned, removable wallet, SUPERBAG!

This pocketbook contained all my sacred personal treasure. It had a side file pocket for documentation(I kept the kids immunization records, school permission slips, caculator & appointment-address book there). It had 2 detachable key rings with mini-lights, it also had a make-up mirror attached to the outside of it's cosmetic case! Now I know most men would not get the facination and awe that this tank of a bag inpired,but if it were a car I would say it was a fully loaded custom creation Hummer, that could really make a man weak in the knees at the thought of posession. But the truth about this bag is that it was heavy & ugly! So it went out for sale. No one bought it.

Now I do know that not all women view their world the same as I. But we all do make a statement about who we are by the way we keep our purses and by what we take with us as important! We recognize the need to be adaptable in a moments notice. We prepare ourselves to step out into each new day with all we need. We carry much of the load for the betterment of our household responsibilities. Coupons,Diapers, lollipops, hand sanitizer, kleenex, and the sort are placed inside the pocketbook with a fierce confidence that we are ready for anything that arises. And the greatest secret about all this is we don't all pack the same! The pocketbook is the universal mother of all womankind in a 911 situation! Any woman, anywhere at any time will graciously open hers to meet the need of a perfect stranger. Our pocketbooks might look different from one anothers but they truelly are the unspoken language of sisterhood.

By recognizing our dependence upon each other in times of need we open up to the mystery of Gods love. His name is "I am". And I have come to know that to mean - I am what you need. Sometimes I can't anticipate what comes my way, no matter how hard I prepare. But what I need is always available somehow in sharing my need with another. The body of Christ is given so much variety of giftings that I can ask and receive in the name of Christ! In the community of Christs' love doors are opened, lives are connected, needs are met. Knock and the door shall be opened unto you, ask and ye shall receive, seek out and ye shall find!!!