THE BLUE SUITCASE
The dark overcast skies filled with dew gently weeping hid the fact that it was daytime. I woke to that misty silent sound and smell that made my room part of the outside atmosphere through an open window.
I stumbled through a dim lit room on my way to the bathroom to fumble through my things in search of my phone to discover the exact time of the early morning hour. To my surprise and chagrin, I discovered it was after 8:00 am. I was a couple hours behind schedule.
I find myself behind schedule most of the time, even when I’m at home. The Arizona sun never allows my body to be tricked into over sleeping, and yet I still find myself racing the clock almost everyday – all day long…
I had some work related loose ends to wrap up, organize my things, find a bag for my dirty clothes, grab something to eat and head home to a late afternoon business meeting and most importantly; see my family.
I moved with purpose. I’m used to being behind schedule; no panic, just diligent pursuit of a finish to all the loose ends, use all available short cuts to make up as much time as possible.
After having my things outside, one more quick “once over” to make sure I had everything, a bee-line for the vehicle and off I went. I glanced at the clock, still way behind schedule. I moved my way down the surprisingly busy freeway.
I set the cruise control on about 13 miles an hour over legal limit and set my eyes on “eagle” mode as I watched for cops. About 3 1/2 hours into my 5 1/2 hour trip, I reached back to open my blue suitcase and retrieve my computer without taking my eyes off the road. No time available for a rest stop.
I reached backward over the console, right arm extended, palm up, waving my arm back and forth, skimming the top of the backseat, trying to locate the small suitcase. It must have slid to one side as I raced through the switchbacks trying to make up time.
A quick glance behind me into the backseat didn’t reveal anything. Then it hit me…
My bags were still sitting outside in California. 300 miles behind me. I started making phone calls trying to secure my things, most importantly my computer and writing pad.
If only I practiced what I preached… How many times have I told someone, “Haste makes waste”! While this particular scenario was an honest mistake brought about by miscalculation of the need for an alarm clock, it brought to my attention a trend I follow daily in my life.
Many of us have the same tendencies. We try to get more done in a given time period than we should. I’m not suggesting we not have daily and long term goals, but when we schedule things in a manner that leaves us in constant state of anxiety trying to cross all of our “to do’s” off our list, it’s time for a change.
Many of us measure our self worth by what we accomplish physically in this world. While I also believe the gift of gratification for things accomplished in our flesh is a gift from God, I also believe that same gift is like all the other gifts supplied by God.
When we take that blessing and work at all costs to achieve that sense of accomplishment or gratification in our deeds, we’ve lost the true purpose of our gift. This is the point when we begin to worship the gift instead of the Giver. Like the pagans of old and new, we worship idols.
How many times have I rushed off into a busy life and forgotten God?…
Just like I did that blue suitcase…
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, October 31, 2011 @ 7:32 am
Too many times floyd. I have found that if I don’t have my quiet time with God as soon as I get to the office or shortly after I wake up and before I really start my day, I will find excuse after excuse to not meet. Thanks for the reminder.
Floyd
Monday, October 31, 2011 @ 9:30 am
Thanks Bill, good to know I’m at least not alone! It’s a sinking feeling to miss His hand.
April
Monday, October 31, 2011 @ 7:55 am
Almost every single morning is rushed at my house. And I cannot count how many times I’ve rushed through life like this.
I hope you got your stuff back! 🙂
Floyd
Monday, October 31, 2011 @ 9:31 am
Thanks April, I did get it back, although I waited for over a week until I had to go back over.
Pat
Monday, October 31, 2011 @ 8:57 am
I think we’ve all been there, Floyd. I’ve never left my suitcase but I have left my purse, my phone, my sweater, a pillow, and once I left a pair of diamond earrings that belonged to my great-grandmother! However, none of those “things” compare to going off and leaving God sitting on the side of your bed.
Quiet time is one of the hardest things to master – especially for moms. When did we become so busy? Sunday is (and always has been) my hardest day. I find that when I finally get to church, I flop down and breathe a huge sigh of relief as if to say, “Finally!”. I just don’t believe God meant for us to be in bondage to so much; especially since it takes us away from time with Him.
Floyd
Monday, October 31, 2011 @ 9:36 am
I hear you Pat. Busyness is like a bad habit. We get to going and accomplishing so long we forget to be still and know that He is God. I’m as guilty as anyone. I need to be still more often…
Hazel
Monday, October 31, 2011 @ 5:36 pm
So glad you were able to retrieve your suitcase and computer! We missed you for a few days. Thanks for the reminder not to leave God out of our day in all our hurry. I tend to run late also, and I know it is a bad habit. I must schedule myself to begin earlier and not procrastinate so much.
Floyd
Monday, October 31, 2011 @ 5:39 pm
Thanks Hazel, I’m not surprised to find that we’re a little alike in this arena. To be honest, I feel better about it now! If I’m similar to you… It can’t be all bad.
Lisa notes
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 @ 2:03 pm
Ouch, Floyd. Both for your pain for forgetting your suitcase (sorry it took you over a week to get it back!) and mine at seeing myself in these words.
My to-do list is always too long. Every day. I think that’s called insanity. So I’ll rethink it again and try to recalibrate. Now, not just for tomorrow. This afternoon. Lord, help me!
Floyd
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 @ 5:41 pm
Thanks Lisa, nice to know I’m not alone. I have to say the constant interaction and encouragement from friends and long distant word-friends, it helps immensely.
Nancy
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 @ 8:44 pm
When stuff like that happens to me, I can think back to a “nudge” that I most certainly received from the Holy Spirit and I knew, I didn’t heed it. That’s when I call on the mercy of My Father. It’s not always that I get delivered from my own shortcomings, but HE does cover me overall. For that I am grateful.
Floyd
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 @ 9:48 pm
Thanks Nancy, that’s good advice. Now if I’ll only heed it!
Voni Harris
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 @ 12:18 pm
Oh, the sinking feeling.
I got a call today from my friend…an hour after we were supposed to meet to work out.
Ugh.
Being present in the moment and intentionality are not my strong suits.
Blessings,
Voni
Floyd
Thursday, November 3, 2011 @ 10:54 am
I hear you Voni, you’re not alone!
jake
Saturday, November 12, 2011 @ 12:07 pm
This is who I’ve been for the past six months- the only exception being my week in Mexico. I basically asked to be laid off at my second job. The request was granted 🙂 I’m still tired from running EVERYWHERE this year. Funny enough though… I guess I did run on the way back from Mexico… right through the bloody airport terminal to make sure I caught my flight. This crap is contagious.
Floyd
Saturday, November 12, 2011 @ 3:29 pm
It is contagious indeed! I’m guilty as well. I flew through town trying to get to the airport to get to see you, and never stopped long enough to think about the fact that I couldn’t get into the terminal area without a boarding pass!
I’m glad you got some time off from work. Life is short and believe it or not, I sense the stress and the emotional drain that it’s had on you. Your normal sarcasm seems a bit restrained. Take a deep breath, maybe go look at a mountain for a day or something… You’ve got a world to shake up Jake!