I feel like I've been packing for a month. This week I'm headed to New Orleans with my youth group. Its been a busy road of fund raising, list making (wink back to last week's bread.) shopping, sorting and packing. Thing can become complicated when you are planning travel and convention details for ten people - I'm just glad I'm not the one doing ALL the registration for the 40,000 people that will be attending the ELCA Youth Gathering.
When you pack for a week or so - you 5-6 of everything. You need: Socks, underwear (sometimes more!), shorts, shirts and two pair of comfy comfy walking shoes. Then there is all the extra items: soap, toothpaste... you get the idea.
In this examen, there is a focus on what you spiritually and physically let go of and what you hold on to. So in this week of trip preparation, I realize too that I've had some things to let go of and hold on to.
Letting go of:
Pushing the limit: So often I'm tempted to pack my figurative luggage to the brim. There are many days my life is so full I have to sit down on the suitcase in order to close it. I'm trying to pare down my days - as much as possible - so that there is space within for surprise and new opportunity.
Holding on to:
Hope. In the midst of unexpected situations, negative reactions happen. Somehow, even in the admitting of these moments, there is hope and support for wanting to live with grace and love. Living in the beautiful way take practice - a lifetime of it.
Mike Roe's most recent album.
Michael Miller just released his new album this month.
Last Saturday night, my family and I had the joy of going to a coffee shop in Warren, PA for an evening of music with Michael Miller and Mike Roe of the 77's. Mike Roe has a song called Treasure that particularly spoke to me. In this song, he describes his love for his new born baby girl. At the show, he spoke about the way that this love has shifted, with shades of it changing as she grew; but all along the way he knew his daughter was his treasure.
What a beautiful thought - our loved ones are our treasure, even on the days they make us crazy, they remain to be the wealth of our lives. I think this idea of treasure, is one that I'll keep in my suitcase too.
The Treasure in You
(Mike Roe)
Devil and the deep blue sea ran dry
The first time I saw your face I thought I'd die
I found a treasure deep in you
And loving you forever is all I want to do
I never want to lose it
I never want to lose it
I never want to lose it
I never want to lose
The treasure in you
From a womb of love I saw you fly
Straight into my arms, we both broke down and cried
Two lives, two faces intertwined
Something so down to earth and so divine
Is mine
And I...
I never want to lose it
I never want to lose it
I never want to lose it
I never want to lose
The treasure in you
And though one day, baby, I'll have to set you free
I'll still have all the love you left deep inside of me
And I...
I never want...
I never want to lose...
I could search forever, never find
Treasure to compare with what's
Already mine
And I...
I never want to lose it
I never want to lose it
I never want to lose it
I never want...
I never want to lose...
By the way, I'll let you know soon what treasures I discover as I travel to the Big Easy.
Peace.
