Beware of baggage
My part time teaching job entails a two hour commute once a week, mostly on the interstate. If you’ve driven much on those heavily traveled big roads, you’ve seen a lot of strange things. But, several weeks ago, I witnessed something new.
Going through a congested area, bogged down by road construction, I noticed cars ahead dodging objects in the road. This was a challenge since both sides of the highway were lined with concrete barriers to protect workers doing their jobs in the outside lanes and the median. As I got closer to the obstacle course, I observed a tractor trailer with one door on the back swinging open. Every few seconds, a enormous roll of something on large tubing sailed out from the back of the truck, bouncing like a giant inflated log on a trampoline as it hit the pavement. Cars swerved in various directions as the driver of the truck continued driving, seemingly oblivious to the chaos and danger he/she was leaving behind.
The truck finally exited, just as I came in close proximity, and my heart rate slowed as a smile of relief spread across my face. I’m sure the other drivers felt their anxiety ease as well. There was certainly a location where the driver planned to unload his cargo, the load (baggage) he carried, but the interstate was not the right spot.
Most of us carry baggage around with us. Some of this load is good–happy memories are an example. We wouldn’t want to lose those. But some of the heavy load we carry around isn’t so good. Perhaps, like this truck driver, we inadvertently drop our baggage where we shouldn’t.
For example…
- We’ve had a rough day and we take our stress and frustration out on our spouse, children, friend, or even a stranger we happen to interact with in a public place.
- We have a long-term bad memory that continues to plague us–someone who mistreated us and we haven’t forgiven them, a family quarrel we have allowed to fester and spread, a conflict at work or church we haven’t repaired.
- We whine about our situation to a captive audience–our health, relationships (or lack of), being overworked, etc.
- We stoop to one of the lowest levels of baggage dumping by speaking badly of others, allowing our anger, frustration, and pain to boil over by putting down others or spreading gossip.
We’ve probably been a baggage dumper and we’ve probably been dumped on. Neither of these are healthy or rewarding experiences. I’m not referring to speaking with a friend or family member about a rough day. We all need to unload at times (in an appropriate way without attacking our listener). I’m referring to an individual who dumps the same baggage over and over and the trapped listener is pulled into the depths of depression with the repetitive complainer.
Jesus reminds us to take our burdens to Him:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus is only a prayer away
He is always ready to listen. He will carry our burdens. We don’t need to dump our baggage on anyone else. Nor do we need to carry someone else’s burden if they attempt to unload it onto our shoulders. We can be a good listener, as we encourage those in need to reach out to our Savior and our Father for help.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Seems we all can use some Spring cleaning a little more often that just in the Spring.
Thank you Katherine for sharing this and glad your commute didn’t turn into an accident!
I definitely need “spring” cleaning every season–more like every day! I needed to remind myself to unload baggage in a way that doesn’t harm others. Thank you for your good wishes. I’ve driven at lot of miles in the 24 years I’ve made this 250 mile round-trip. My Father has blessed me with safe travels. Even though I’ve been involved in two major automobile accidents (not my fault), His protection kept me from serious harm. Wishing you a blessed week, Ben.
How is it that you seem to almost always go where my heart is leading me my friend? Sometimes we do indeed need to “unload” with a friend, etc.; but we must be cautious that what we’re unloading isn’t toxic and can cause harm to the recipient. Isn’t it wonderful how when we choose to unload our burdens, fears, worries, and concerns upon God, He applies the spiritual balm of grace to soothe our inflamed souls? Oh, how many times have I asked God to forgive me for harboring ill thoughts, etc. in the midst of surrendering them to Him. Thank you for this gentle reminder that we each have a safe place in which to unload our baggage, our Savior.
I think it must be because you’re my brother! You always seem to know what message I need to receive as well. I also have that vice of harboring ill thoughts and struggling to surrender them. Praying for us both, that we might show the Fruit of the Spirit in all our interactions (and thoughts).
Always practical and real. Thank you Katherine for speaking to me today.
Thank you, Marilyn, for sharing encouragement and hope.
Wonderful analogy. Also, a wonderful reminder not to unload on others, but to cast all my cares upon Him. Thank you Katherine.
Most people carry a heavy burden of their own baggage. They don’t need ours! Thank you, Terri, for reminding us, “Cast all our cares on Him, because He cares for us.” No one will ever love us as much as Jesus. Praying we can all strive to love one another as He loves us.
Katherine, your post reminds me of a teacher’s assignment to a class I read about. The point was about unforgiveness, but it can also apply to any kind of baggage we carry. The students were to carry a 5 pound bag of potatoes with them for a certain amount of time. Before that time was up the potatoes started to rot. The message they learned was that holding on to that baggage was hurting them. If they unloaded on someone else, the rot also hurt others. I think that class got the point and I did too because that picture stayed with me. Thanks for your timely post as we all need to release baggage in the scriptural way and give it to Jesus. Only He can cleanse us of the rot.
What a creative assignment that teaches a lasting lesson. Thanks so much for sharing with us, Barbara. If we’ve ever had a potato to go bad (rot) in our kitchen, we know how terrible it smells. Your description of carrying around those potatoes until they rot really reminds us of the negative repercussions of “hanging onto our baggage.” Carrying around painful burdens not only hurts us, but everyone who is around us. Love your final statement, “only Jesus can cleanse us of the rot.” And aren’t we so blessed that He does it? (sometimes very often).
Katherine, how dangerous that truck was and he didn’t even know it! What a great illustration of how dumping our baggage can injure others.
Thinking about this issue is encouraging me to consider how my complaining or whining (baggage dumping) can bring sadness, depression, and harm to others. I hope and pray that we all can “think” before we unload. Of course, we know our Lord will listen the best and provide what we need, if we will remember to carry our burdens to Him.
That must have been a scary experience! I’m so glad no one was hurt. You are so right that we often dump our whiny baggage on people who don’t need to hear it. But thankfully when we do need to talk to God, He is always there for us, even when we do whine. He is able to take on our burdens and help us turn our whines into praise and thanksgiving for His help in all situations.
It was scary, Kathy. I’m so thankful no one had an accident on the interstate and I hope the driver pulled over and secured the door. I couldn’t see whether he stopped or not–the traffic was heavy and moving fast. Like you, I’m very thankful that God listens to our whining and helps us see the blessings instead. I love your thought of “turning our whines into praise and thanksgiving.” That’s going to be my goal. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.
Katherine, thank you for this story and for the wonderful reminder to take our burdens to Jesus.
Thank you for visiting my blog, Dawn, and sharing encouragement. Wishing you a blessed day and Happy Fall!
Katherine, your examples always clearly paint a picture in my mind and in my heart. Thank you for reminding us to take our burdens to God and unload the baggage that might otherwise spill out on the highway of our day.
I love your imagery, Jennie, and the hope to avoid “spilling our baggage into the highway of our day.” That’s a good way to help us remember to spill our burdens onto God’s altar instead. Thank you for all you do to “brighten” everyone’s day. You are a blessing.
Thank you. What a great reminder. I get frustrated with myself when I realize I have dumped on my family something I have brought home with me. Praying my way home can be so helpful.
I feel the same way, Jen. When I have a rough day or a problem that’s threatening to overwhelm me, I feel guilty when I “dump” on family or friends. No need to ruin their day, too! I need to remind myself of the message–Jesus promises us He will carry our burdens–IF we give them to Him.
What a great illustration and lesson. Thanks so much for bringing it to my attention at this moment. Definitely can see how I might be letting some things roll out that should be given to Jesus alone.
Thank you for your encouragement, Sylvia. This is an issue I constantly have to work on. I am glad it was helpful to you. Hope your day is blessed!
The incident you describe might have sent me into panic mode. Glad no one was hurt!
Great visual though, reminding me to shed my burdens, bouncing them out of my heart and leaving them behind. Just as Jesus invites us to do!
I like your metaphor, Candyce. “Bounce those burdens out of our hearts!” Since that was what the truck driver was doing (bouncing his burdens), we need to remember to do ours in a safe way when we strive to protect our hearts. Thanks for reminding us to “bounce” those burdens over to Jesus. He can catch them and dispose of our troubling burdens without causing harm to others.
How frightening that must have been to be behind that truck. I’m glad everyone made it safely through the obstacle course. And I’m thankful the Lord accepts me and my baggage.
Like you, LuAnn, I’m so grateful that God loves us through all the challenges as He guides us through all the quagmires and tests of our faith. There’s no one that loves us like our Father in heaven.