“33” – It’s just a number, right? On a normal week, I wouldn’t even think about the number 33. But this week I have felt like I’ve been in a never ending episode of Sesame Street where they repeat the number 33 over and over again. I don’t know about others on the team, but 33 has given me some headaches this week. “33” is an important number as we prepare to fly into the Wild Blue Yonder Sunday. Usually when you fly you can have a checked bag that weights 50 lbs., but we can only have a checked bag of 33 lbs., and a backpack type carry on. For most of the trip 50 lbs. is okay, but when we get to Uganda and board the small 18 passenger plane that takes us into South Sudan, we can only have 33 lbs., there’s that number again, and a small carry on bag. Packing for 19 days can be difficult when you are limited on the amount of weight. Luckily, we can do our laundry while in South Sudan, so cutting back on clothes was a little easier. But, then we have the liquids. The bug sprays, sunscreen etc. can add up quickly. But, I really didn’t have a problem there either. My problem came with the coffee and snacks. What can I say, I like my coffee and I like to snack. So, do I take clothes and bug spray, or do I take coffee?
Finally, I’m was all packed and right on 33 lbs. What a relief. Then I had to think about shoes or more importantly, boots. I already have my tennis shoes, which I will be wearing, a pair of sandals and my flip flops for around the house. Should I take my boots or not? After all, it is rainy season. When I inquired about the boots the answer was, that my tennis shoes would be fine, but there may be times I wish I had boots. So, in went the boots and my victory over the 33 lbs. was lost. Every ounce matters…..
There is a lesson to be learned here. It’s actually easier than you think to pack for 19 days and only have 33 lbs., we just need to think about what we don’t need and what kind of “things” we can leave behind. We complicate life so much and carry so much more than we need to. If I can just go through my suitcase of stuff daily and rid it of “things” that I don’t need, and give them to God, then I won’t be carrying around a lot of excess baggage that weighs my thoughts down and keeps my focus off of God. Every ounce matters…..
Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We just need to average 33lbs. each so if someone is over a little, someone else will be under a little. I am now at about 31 lbs., but won’t breath easier until it is weighted at the airport. I’ve left out all I feel I can do without, and yes, I kept the coffee.
Let’s keep our focus on God and not on all the other “stuff”! In order to do that we have to remember that God will provide for us daily.
Matthew 6:9-13
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
amen Janet-God is already working on you and you havent even left yet…yippeeee! 33 is just a number at the airport-the real number to be concerned with is lost souls you will be reaching and I am sure it will be many more than 33….love you girl…