The Back Pack

The Back Pack

I love going hiking!  When I pack for a trip - 
I know that I carry more items than I will need or use - 
but I want to be prepared for anything!

You know, I was thinking about that the other day.

Have you ever thought how you carry your own

personal Back Pack?

I mean the back pack you strap on and 
never really take off for long periods of time.

The pack that is full of your past hurts, 
past insecurities, 
your past desires that were never fulfilled.

The pack that is full of the stuff 
you should be letting go of - 
but you keep carrying it anyway.

What about someone else's back pack?

Is theirs lighter than yours?

Are their hurts less hurtful?

Are their insecurities less than yours?

Do they also carry their past wherever they go?

I had a real view of this when I watched a skit 
performed at a Ladies retreat.

It started with a lady coming down the isle with her children and the narrator was speaking her thoughts.

She was focused on the children, 
and looking around and thinking thoughts 
that had nothing to do with worship 
or why she was there.

Then, she was thinking 
that she'd like to be other 
people in her congregation.

In doing so, God showed her 
their specific burdens.

She realized that even though 
we all put on a great outside front, 
everyone is dealing with something!

It might not be the same as our own 

However, 
it's still a heavy load for them.

A back pack is a symbol of all those emotions.  

It gets heavier the longer we carry it.

It gets harder to go forward 
because we're so heavily weighed down.

I laughed when Julia Roberts fell backwards 
in 'Runaway Bride'.
The scene when her boyfriend 
put her hiking back pack on. 

It was packed way too heavy 
for her to handle 

and it took her down fast!

I know in life, we try to be kind.

Some days though - 
our own burdens challenge us.

They start to change us - 

to weigh us down - 

they have a tendency some days 

to totally knock us off our feet!

Sometimes talking to a close friend 
in a similar place 
releases some of the burden.

Sometimes writing it down in a journal 
will purge 

it for a moment 
out of your mind.

When you are in the dark period - 

you want a lighter load.

You want to lay your burden down -

and leave it there forever.

But when you get socked again by emotions, 
or situations 
you end up stuffing it 
further down 
and then

you pick that pack back up 
and strap it on.

You become the hurt person 

You become the angry person

 You become who you don't like very much!

It filters into your friendships,

your relationships, 
your work place.

So what is the solution?

Everyone has a different approach.

Some go off alone and sort it all out.

Some talk to someone who truly listens to them.

Others can't figure it out -

So they keep their backpack on.

I guess in it all - 

we all are battling 
something.
Many times though
we don't feel safe
to share our deepest
fears, hurts, secrets.

I am working on 
leaving my backpack off my back.

It makes me tired.

It makes me have to be stronger 
than I feel that I am.

So, if you meet someone who's still 
weighed down by their personal back pack...

just be kind!
Help them carry their burden
if you can!