Excess baggage

Many times she thought about what needed to be done.
She had even taken a step in that direction by buying some suitcases.
But eventually after tripping over them she moved them from the corner to the back of the closet.
Soon they were forgotten.

Months later her memory was jogged when someone reminded her again of the invitation.
They handed her the book with all the directions but it seemed that life's activities always got in the way. There was always some reason why it was just not the right time.

One day cleaning out the closet she saw the cases--tags still attached. Her heart longed to pull them out. Reaching for the instruction guide she realized now that the ticket for shipping had already been paid for.

Reaching out she grasped the handle before she lost her nerve.
Lifting the case she placed it on the bed. Taking a deep breath she flipped the latch. The lid swung easily open. Would it all fit?

Reaching behind she felt what she could not even look at. Closing her eyes she swung the feelings of insecurity and fear up and into the case. It took up so much room but she managed to push the old crumbling mess to the side. From her front pocket she pulled distrust and gently folded it and placed it beside fear. They would make good company for each other on the long trip.

Kneeling down she reach under the bed. Her stomach sunk as she grasped hold and pulled out the feelings of worthlessness. She thought she would never make it up to the case with the mass. But before she knew it it had easily joined the rest in the case.

There was only one more thing that had to go. It got in the way and tripped her up almost everyday. Reaching up she found what hung constantly above her head. Looking at it as if it were something of great value she leaned over and placed the future on top of fear.

She had not realized she was crying until the tears rolling freely down her cheeks began to splash inside the case . She knelt beside the case.
She was finished. All that remained was the closing of the case and placing it outside the door.
With quick determination she closed the lid and slid it to the floor.

Picking up the instruction guide she turned to the directions and followed them the best she knew how. Hearing the knock at the door she pulled the case toward the door.
Grasping the handle of the door she took a deep breath and yanked it open.
And there He was, just like the book said He would be. The instruction book said He would pick up her cases and carry them away. They would then be taken to the deepest area of the sea, weighted and tossed over board.

She wanted to say something sweet and profound
but all she could think to say as He reached out and removed the case was,
Thank You!

S.B

Micah 7:19 (New International Version)

19 You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.