I love to travel on occasion, but I hate to pack. When I went to Annual Conference last month, I began packing the day before I left. I made lists; I pictured each outfit that I’d need; I had a big suitcase and hanging clothes. I loaded everything into the car. On the way there, I thought, “What have I forgotten?”
I remembered that I needed a few things at the store, so made a stop along the way. I wracked my brain again, going through imaginary checklists… “What have I forgotten?” I have a long history of forgetting things, because I HATE TO PACK!… “I have my cosmetic/toiletries bag.” (I remember the time I went to my sister’s without that bag and had to borrow everything from her.) “I have my shoes” … (On one trip, I had to wear the same shoes all week whether they matched or not.) “I have my hanging clothes.” (Once, at an overnight retreat at the Conference Center, I forgot my hanging clothes and had to put on the same clothes for the second day – ugh!) “I have my book bag.” (Yes, I’ve even been known to forget the books and files necessary for business meetings!) “I have my directions to locate the hotel.” “Okay, I have everything I need.” ……………….WRONG!
It wasn’t until I checked into the hotel and had changed for the Board of Ordained Ministry Meeting and Memorial Service for that evening before I realized that I was missing 3 jackets, 1 top, and a pair of slacks. Surely it’s in the car…………WRONG! – I checked twice. I had left one handful of hanging clothes still in the closet at home. I should have made one more trip! As it turned out, I didn’t really need those extra clothes – I managed just fine without them. Whew! No wonder my mother used to tell me that it was a good thing my head was screwed on tight, or I would forget that, too! Ha!
Are you a list maker? We have some important lists in the Bible…lists of the Patriarchs, genealogy lists, lists of spiritual gifts, and a list of fruit of the spirit. When I see a list, I think, “Ah, someone didn’t want to forget this!” The list of the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us of all the ways we are growing in the Spirit… “Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control”. The good news is that the Spirit is keeping this list in mind, for it is a description of the Spirit. As we simply open ourselves to God, the Spirit will grow these fruit in us! This is the ongoing work of the Spirit. The Spirit does the packing! … in us, for us, for the world! Praise the Lord!
