Traveling light this Christmas…

December is not the ideal time to have your carpets replaced. It means packing your belongings and moving the furniture out of your house during the busiest time of year.

One bonus this afforded my family is the opportunity to clean out 13 years of “stuff” we thought we needed to keep. (This I something I plan to thank the carpet installers for when they arrive this morning.)

Yesterday, as I pulled up to the Value Village donation drop off, I could see the attendant squint as he tried to get a look at what was on the other side of my tinted windows. As I got out of the car, he said: “Did you leave anything at home?”

I was too embarrassed to tell him that I could probably fill up another 5 trucks of donations if I was willing to part with my “stuff”.

Our family lacks for nothing. Like most people living in the United States, we are abundantly blessed.

But after this weekend’s clean-out, my soul yearns to travel light.

Jesus taught his disciples to travel light.

Matthew 10:9-10 says, “Do not take money with you: don’t take gold, silver, or even small, worthless change. Do not pack a bag with clothes. Do not take sandals or a walking stick.”

After my weekend clean-out, these words are meaningful to me in many ways:

1. The more “stuff” we have to manage; the less time we have for God’s people.
2. The less “stuff” we have, the more we will trust and depend on God for his generosity, provision and direction.
3. With less, we engage with others to accomplish more.
4. Jesus wants us to walk unburden by comparison or jealousy of what others have. Accumulating more “stuff” doesn’t rid us of these feelings. Depending wholeheartedly on Jesus does.
5. Jesus came to carry our burdens. It was never our job to carry a lot of baggage.

Where ever you find yourself this holiday season, I pray you will find the joy of traveling light!

JOY!

Angela