Lost Luggage

​Last night I landed at a strange airport, lost my cell phone connection, and, while I was panicking I picked up the wrong suitcase off the conveyor belt.  Twelve hours later, the person who probably mistakenly took my suitcase, hasn’t returned it to the airport.

​ So, here I sit without a toothbrush, still wearing last night’s clothes. 

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Domestic violence and faith

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For those of us who have lost everything from our sanity, our children, our careers, our safe living arrangements, our financial security, and our ability to function each day without the battle scars of our abuse requiring coping skills to allow us to function, a lost suitcase seems like a minor inconvenience. Although I am  inconvenienced by my mistake, I am calm. I am calm because it is these type of situations that remind me that God is really all I need; a suitcase full of stuff isn’t what fills my heart. 

I believe these “inconveniences” God places on me during my daily journeys are not to divert me from my task at hand, but instead to remind me that I may be taking my eyes off of Him during a time when I should be 110% focused on Him. With so many competing requirements for my days, I often apologize during my morning devotion for not putting His priority in my life the main focus of my time. 

But, the lost suitcase reminds me that God doesn’t really want my apologies. He wants my actions; put my apologies into action is what I heard during my devotion this morning. Stop saying I need to take better care of my body so I can support the demands of my world; go outside and walk. Just do it (as Nike’s slogan says). Stop saying I need to keep the projects that God’s placing on my heart a priority yet by noon they are moving down the priority list; keep His callings for me my one and only priority. 

I would really like to get my suitcase back yet I totally understand if it’s not returned, it’s a lesson I needed to hear today. I need to remain focused 100% on what God is calling me to do throughout all aspects of my life. My family, my friends, my job, my upcoming book, and my involvement in church.  He wants me to live with the right amount of balance throughout all the competing pieces of my life. 

I believe this is a reminder many of us need to hear every once and a while. 

Blessings to all,

Sue