Harold Keller / L’Observateur / July 8, 2000

My daughter, Ronny Michel, one of the leaders of the Ladies Ministry at Reserve Christian Church, writes a monthly article in the church’s bulletin. This week, I felt that the readers of this column would benefitmuch more from her last message than from anything that I could write, so here goes:

“My attic is empty. When we moved into our present home six years ago,my husband and I decided not to store anything in the attic. We realizedthat we didn’t need anything that we had stored in the attic of our former home. So we began to simplify our lives by getting rid of things that we nolonger need, or use.

Someone once told me that I was very nice to give away my furniture when I bought new items. I quickly responded, “No it would be very nice of me tobuy someone else new furniture and keep my old couch. They’re just savingme a trip to Goodwill.

I’d like to just leave my children photo albums, journals and tons of memories. (I’m sure they hope I leave behind a little cash, too, but I’m notpromising anything!) I want to go through this life “traveling light.”Going on vacation is another time that I literally “travel light.” I tend topack much less than my husband does, and this constantly amazes him. Itry to console him by saying that I’m just saving room in my bags in case I go shopping, but the truth is I hate carrying anything that I probably won’t need. But having an empty attic and a light suitcase doesn’t make mebetter, or worse, than anyone else, only different. Like my 5-year-old,Victoria, says when we disagree on what she should wear, “You know, Mom, everybody’s different.”A few years ago, God challenged me to expand my “travel light” philosophy to other areas of my life. He urged me not to store up resentments. I wantto forget arguments, not pack them up away in the attic of my mind so that I can relive them. When others offend me, I need to forgive, quicklyand freely, so that I don’t stumble over bags of bitterness. God evenwarned me that I was not to carry around the burdens of worry and doubt.

Hebrews 12:1 instructs me to lay aside any hinderance and sin that would prevent me from running the race set before me. I can’t run if I’m carryingaround weights of sin.

And since I’m being totally honest with you, God is dealing with me right now about not letting strife into my home. With a husband and fivechildren, sometimes strife doesn’t have to creep in. I open the door for it!Then God reminds me of His warning in James 3:16 – “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” I certainly don’twant every evil work in my house, so I have to make sure that I don’t let strife in.

Even if your attic is full and your suitcase is bulging, it’s still possible to “travel light” as you run the race that God has set before you. Let’scommit to cleaning out old resentments, ditching our doubts and striking out strife.

Running with you, Ronny Michel, Ladies Ministry”

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group.

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