No Heaviness Involved

The power for me was in one word.

The word light!

The context in which I was reading this was not that of expelling any darkness,
but in relation to carrying a load.

Not heavy, weighty or cumbersome; but effortless, easy and unforced.

The phrase was….. “to live lightly” *

And on went my mind.

What a joyous and wonderful thought this is, to live life without the heaviness of what events occur in life, or without carrying the burden of the challenges faced on a daily basis.

Furthermore, the blessing of living life like this would be that my responses would reflect it; I would quite easily be displaying and offering grace, I would be readily smiling and bring a sense of peace to others and more than likely have the necessary strength to face new challenges in a better way.

Oh how I wish I could say that this how I live my life.

And why?

Well not only because this is more appealing but for the best for those around me, those journeying life with me.

Because, I allow the heaviness and the weight of things in life to become packed into all that I am, and then, as a result, pour this out onto others – those around me who had nothing to do with what had transpired. I am therefore hurting others and causing them to feel low because of my lack. I react (an issue in itself) because of the load I am carrying.

After reading this phrase the other day, I began to relate it to the way I pack for a holiday. Anyone who knows me well enough would agree with me when I say that I am not very good at packing lightly. Ok, I am no good at it at all!

I pack for the ‘just in case’, I pack for the possible change of weather, and for the variety. I pack with a complete outfit in mind. I even pack with the thoughts that I should not burden others with practicalities such as washing while staying at their home!

Why? I want to always look good while keeping the balance of being comfortable and accepted by others.

Yet, when I liken this to when others come to visit me I can easily become insulted if they do not accept the many offers of ‘making themselves at home’ -this including any support required for washing! So why do I not expect the same?

In comparing this analogy to the phrase of living lightly, I was able to display in a clearer way how easily, quickly and often without thought I take on (pack) more than I need from life.

Someone makes a statement that was a bit ‘off’ to me, and I analyze it and allow it to become more than it was meant to – I add it to me.

A look is received and I wonder why or what was behind it, I analyze it and allow it to become more than it was meant to – I add it to me.

My thoughts begin to rave on, a huge amount of chatter in fact, and I analyze it and allow it to become more than it was meant to – I add it to me.

You see what I mean?

And so, as the day goes on, my soul becomes packed with all that it was not meant to contain. I am no longer living lightly.

And nor will I be able to, if I am continually concentrating on the heavy load I am taking with me.

Now to learn the art of packing lightly for a holiday!

Deb
Xx

Ps. – the phrase I read was “ keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly”

Matthew 11:28-30