Packing light? Not my strong suit. Umbrella, snacks, lucky rock—be (over)prepared, that’s my motto. And find someone strong to carry your stuff.
Dreamer (my strong husband) mastered packing, years ago. Born to roam, he craves adventure. Every few months he pries this homebody loose from her office chair.
I grouse about leaving home again, grumble about packing chores. Then we encounter wonders. Risk. Occasional revelations.
For my Big “M” (Medicare) birthday, we’re exploring Poulsbo, WA: home of the epic 6’ vine ball at the incomparable Green Cat B&B, and Bloedel Reserve, among other places.
Which means packing
Abram’s wife, Sarai, was about my age when asked to pull up her tent pegs and hit the road (never to return). How did she know what to take? What to leave behind?
Maybe God sent an instructive dream to focus her mind as well as her packing. And grace to help her surrender the beloved familiar. Plus faith to anticipate, rather than dread, the unknown.
My (favorite) recurring dream
Our house has an empty spare room, and it’s mine! Antiques I’ve never seen before overcrowd the garage (don’t I wish), which I get to arrange, solely to suit my eccentric taste. Oh joy!
Then I wake up.
Maybe Sarai dreamed “a tent of her own”: fine weavings hung against goatskin walls, a ring of twelve polished stones for a traveling hearth. A space to retreat—free for a while from sifting chaff, scraping hides, grinding grain between slabs of rock.
I like to think God helped her prepare for irreversible changes. Shared desert wisdom. Travel tips. So I take out notebook and pen.
What might Sarai have learned?
What my imagination supplies by way of answers sounds a lot like joy. It’s advice from an optimist. The words also speak to my longer journey ahead, into the unknown world of book tours, sales, and promotion (more packing).
Here are mindsets worth leaving behind. And attitudes worth taking on.
On packing light
1 Believe you are never too old to embrace something new.
2 Anticipate wonders—including the risky kind.
3 Leave behind the habitual; that’s how you make space for fresh ideas.
4 Celebrate new words and ways of doing things; collect them, as you would opals, or pearls.
5 Accept that no journey-mate is ideal.
6 Watch for wellsprings among the dry spots.
7 Create oasis, wherever you camp.
8 Surrender your urge to be perfect. Be real.
9 Sarai might add, “befriend camels”:
- those who go the distance
- those who kneel
- those who know when to spit
Live clean. Stay current. Keep cool.
Packing it in
I know Dreamer will carry my suitcase. I’m already lightening my mental baggage.
MAKE IT PERSONAL: What are you ready to leave behind? What will you set in motion?
Hope your journey was a delight and hope you came home with a FULL suitcase. As for camels; I think knowing when to spit is crucial. Sometimes, I need a camel buddy to remind me of the need to spit. The visual image to which you give words makes me smile. Spitting indeed! I put it right up there with Catch and Release. Thank you for the challenge to grow! And the confirmation of growth through relationship.
Roberta, I love your way with words. Your affirmation about spitting bolsters my sense of personal progress in the hands of Grace, that my good girl-high-achiever-perfectionist self can not only contemplate spitting, but execute the act without apology, from time to time, and even recommend it! 🙂 My suitcase arrived home full, indeed, and not just because I never fold the dirty clothes as nicely. God gets my attention in unique ways when I’m “away from the (secure) nest,” which refreshes, and challenges me, me no end. So grateful for your presence here! Thank you!
ohhhhh, I can relate, Laurie. I hope you enjoyed the Bloedel–we were there in July and it was stunning. Hope you’ll share pictures.
Your ‘packing’ (traveling) advice is full of wisdom. I like the ‘create oasis’ (oases) wherever you are–sounds like it’s a decision to drink deeply and find satisfaction, no matter where we are.
Didn’t know how much I needed that until I typed the words….
Jody, I really like your wording, and the resolve behind it: “a decision to drink deeply and find satisfaction, no matter where we are.” What a difference this makes! I’ll bet the Bloedel is gorgeous in the summer. Winter is its own down-to-the-bones kind of beauty.
Almost exactly 5 years ago this week, my precious friend, Laurie Klein, looked across my little kitchen table at me and said “Judi, there are two kinds of people. Settlers and pioneers. You are a pioneer,” she said squeezing my hand. “I, on the other hand, am a settler. ” I have never forgotten that. Well that’s obvious isn’t it?! The point is that I’m confident I never will.
She set me free that morning as we waited for our three friends. She allowed me to be completely who I am in the midst of faces that wondered if I was completely crazy. Even if I am, she made me feel completely loved.
It’s just that I have never minded packing, pulling up my shallow roots and moving. It’s exhilarating. It’s stimulating. And, until that morning, it was rather embarrassing. Now I know that it is simply who God made me. Completely.
Since that day we have relocated from the northwest to the south east, sold our RV and the biggest move we have made in the last six months is the piano. It’s not in front of the fireplace anymore. Just that made me feel brand-new. It doesn’t take much for me, does it?
I will always be grateful for my beautiful, tall, settler friend’s insight that morning.
She got a very pricey traffic ticket on her way home the next day. The fact that she STILL loves me is really amazing.
PS Joy Reclaimed was such fun! Encore!!
Judi, is it really five years?! I’m filled with admiration for your adventure gene and the rich lives and circles of influence you and Ernie have created, wherever you go. And I’m very excited about your writing! Sitting at the keyboard typing is a journey in itself! Can’t wait to read more . . .
I love the friend, camel and all her attributes. Especially knowing when to spit! You always make me smile and think and relax.
I need to make your list into a poster that I read everyday. I’m turning 50 and am needing to lighten my baggage!
You, 50?? Can’t believe it, gorgeous girl. I keep working at streamlining but I’m such a collector at heart! Figured I’d start with my brain and hope it overflows to my house, especially my studio! Blessings on you, Deanna!
Didn’t Sarah also give birth after her “Medicare” birthday?
She sure did. And named the boy Laughter. I figured she’d be a great one to give me a pep talk!!