All You Need to Know You Can Learn from Your Handbag

It has taken me until this past week to begin to use it. Yep, almost 6 weeks after getting it. “Why is that?” you may be asking me. Let me explain.

Apparently, according to my two fashion-savy daughters, this COACH bag is indeed a “normal-sized” bag for average “everyday” use. However, I was of the opinion that their “normal” was my “tiny.” How in the world would I get all my STUFF in there?

This will not be news to any of you who know me, or have read some of my evotionals. I’ve had to leave elevators and give up subway seats…all because my bag was too big!

Up until I received my new birthday gift, I had been feeling quite good about myself. I had “downsized” from this bag…

to this bag…

Hmm, I thought I was doing quite well!!

So, you can see my dilemma! There is quite a size difference between my new COACH bag and the bags I was accustomed to jamming full of so-called “necessities” to get me through my day! I knew if I was going to use my new handbag, I was going to have to let go of some of the stuff I was lugging around in my old handbags.

After spreading out the contents of my bags on my bed so that I could honestly see what was there, and, with some resistence to this elimination process, I picked up each item and asked myself, “Do I really need to carry this with me?” Surprisingly, within 15 minutes, I had thrown out things I would never need again; found a new home for those things that didn’t need to be in my purse; and transfered what was left to my new handbag! Woohoo! It all actually fit!

This is what I have learned over the past week, while carrying my smaller, lighter bag: it is surprising how quickly a “normal-sized” bag can fill up to overflowing!

Each day, I need to go through the very same process. Each day, I need to intentionally go through the very same “examine/eliminating process” in order to keep my smaller handbag…light.

I think there’s a bigger lesson here too. In order to discover it, would you mind if I asked you a few questions? Here they are:

No. I don’t mean in your handbag. I mean in your heart. Stuff like worry; anxiety; bitterness; judgement; mean-spiritness; gossip; grudges. I think you get the picture.

Being honest with ourselves–and with God is the first step to a lighter load.

Just as I need to clear out all the “extra stuff” from my purse that I picked up throughout the day, we need to embrace this examining process for our hearts as well. This will keep our hearts free, and keep the “extra stuff”we pick up each day from taking root; taking over; and burdening us down.

If so, I encourage you to read through Psalm 139…especially verses 23 and 24.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Wishing you a lighter…and blessed…NEW YEAR!!!

 

 

I have been married to Alan, my sweetheart and best friend for 25 years. Together we have 2 grown daughters, 1 teenage son (who I homeschool), and 1 brand-new son-in-law! I am a life coach, conference and retreat speaker, writer, and pastor’s wife. As an instructor for Life Purpose Coaching Centers International, I also have the privilege of teaching and training women who desire to become a certified Life Purpose Coach. Come and visit me at my websites!   http://www.kathybutryn.com     http://www.theheartchangeplace.com    http://heartchangeplace.blogspot.com 

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