Today’s Post by Rae Lynn DeAngelis
Patiently, we waited in line to check our luggage.
When it was my husband’s turn, he placed his suitcase on the airline’s scale and waited for the number to register. Seconds later, the number popped up. It was actually ten pounds under the weight allowance.
Next it was Heather and Ben’s turn. They followed suit, falling right within the Carrier’s weight restriction for luggage.
Finally, it was my turn. The moment of reckoning.
As Gerry heaved my very large suitcase onto the platform, his eyes nearly popped from the strain. “Rae Lynn, what the heck do you have in here?”
Before I could answer, the bag’s weight registered across the screen… 60 pounds—exactly ten pounds over the weight limit.
Yikes!
The airline attendant explained in a matter of fact tone, “I’m sorry, Ma’am, but your bag is over the weight limit. You will need to remove some items.
Really?
I looked up at Gerry with pleading eyes. Again, my husband questioned me… “Rae Lynn, what do you have in this suitcase that is so heavy?”
It was time to fess up.
I cleverly stowed away two five pound weights in the side pockets of my suitcase, hoping to keep in shape while we were on vacation. I reasoned that ten pounds in my suitcase was better than ten pounds on my thighs.
Since my husband’s bag was ten pounds under the weight limit, you guessed it; he opened up his suitcase and redistributed the load. My hero! Problem solved.
Sometimes, in day to day life, we can take on more than we were ever intended to carry.
Can you relate?
I sure can.
It seems to be a reoccurring problem. I over-pack my suitcase… and I over-pack my life.
Running a non-profit organization comprised of 100% volunteers is challenging to say the least. Because everyone is working in their spare time (and let’s be honest… who has much of that these days) it’s impossible to distribute the workload evenly.
God has given me the charge of leading this ministry; therefore, when something needs to get done, and there is no one else to do it, it becomes my responsibility. Most of the time that’s not a problem; ministry is my passion and joy. However, every once in a while the workload becomes more than I can bear. That’s when I have to cry out to God and confess that I’ve over-packed my life.
Like my husband did in the airport that day, God comes to my aid. He helps me recognize the unnecessary burdens that I am carrying and shows me ways to redistribute the weight.
Whether you are working a full time job with benefits, caring for your family at home, or managing a non-profit organization, sharing one another’s burdens will help to ensure that no one person is tipping the scales.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Do you need any volunteers? I’m willing to jump in.