What's in Your Wallet?
Who on earth collects bricks in order pave their own sidewalk for free? The lovely Anita in “101 Dalmatians” (1996). I remember the part of the movie when Anita hits Roger with her purse and he asks, “What do you have in there? Bricks?” Anita blushes somewhat timidly and says, “Well yes, I’ve been collecting bricks for my path.” (Please note: I was nine years old the last time I saw the movie, so the quotes are a bit sketchy.)
My tired, sore, red arms reminded me of this movie today as I toted a large rock around in my purse while shopping in Victoria Gardens. I didn’t realize that the 5x3x2 inch rock would weigh so much in my purse or that the purse straps would hurt so much. What a burden!
With this much randomness in a row, I’m sure you are DYING to see a point to this small collection of thoughts.
I did not carry this rock around to pave my driveway, decorate my room, or make a rock pet. I hoisted the heavy mass around because of a challenge at my women’s bible study on Friday (and if any of you know me, I never back down from a challenge). This rock represented a burden of one of my friends, which I chose to carry today. Some people’s rocks were small and pretty, others were large and dirty. The uniqueness of each rock stemmed from the psychology behind each choice. We each wrote what burden was represented on the rock in Sharpie marker.
I noticed something very poignant for my own experience as I began my day by attempting to fit the rock into my purse. I found that I could not position the rock inside of my purse in any way that allowed all of my stuff to stay inside. So, I took the next largest item out, my PDA (also known as my life). I recognized later on in the day that this small gesture represented much more than praying for a friend for the day. I saw that in order to truly care for someone else, my own agenda needed to be set aside.
So often, I use my tight schedule as a means to refrain from caring for others. If you have gotten a cancellation from me due to my busy schedule, please remember that it is not a lie, though quite possibly an act of selfishness. My new challenge is to void my own volition in order to care for my comrades. (What a sucker I am for alliteration.)
And so, my friend’s burden weighed heavy upon my heart (and arm) today, not only reminding me of her pain, but also of my own downfalls. Perhaps an additional component should be added to my previous post on carrying objects in our lives; how much space and weight a particular object exerts. Think about it, what’s in your wallet?
My tired, sore, red arms reminded me of this movie today as I toted a large rock around in my purse while shopping in Victoria Gardens. I didn’t realize that the 5x3x2 inch rock would weigh so much in my purse or that the purse straps would hurt so much. What a burden!
With this much randomness in a row, I’m sure you are DYING to see a point to this small collection of thoughts.
I did not carry this rock around to pave my driveway, decorate my room, or make a rock pet. I hoisted the heavy mass around because of a challenge at my women’s bible study on Friday (and if any of you know me, I never back down from a challenge). This rock represented a burden of one of my friends, which I chose to carry today. Some people’s rocks were small and pretty, others were large and dirty. The uniqueness of each rock stemmed from the psychology behind each choice. We each wrote what burden was represented on the rock in Sharpie marker.
I noticed something very poignant for my own experience as I began my day by attempting to fit the rock into my purse. I found that I could not position the rock inside of my purse in any way that allowed all of my stuff to stay inside. So, I took the next largest item out, my PDA (also known as my life). I recognized later on in the day that this small gesture represented much more than praying for a friend for the day. I saw that in order to truly care for someone else, my own agenda needed to be set aside.
So often, I use my tight schedule as a means to refrain from caring for others. If you have gotten a cancellation from me due to my busy schedule, please remember that it is not a lie, though quite possibly an act of selfishness. My new challenge is to void my own volition in order to care for my comrades. (What a sucker I am for alliteration.)
And so, my friend’s burden weighed heavy upon my heart (and arm) today, not only reminding me of her pain, but also of my own downfalls. Perhaps an additional component should be added to my previous post on carrying objects in our lives; how much space and weight a particular object exerts. Think about it, what’s in your wallet?
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posted by bellevoce | 10:49 PM
7 Comments:
Reminds me of "Descent Into Hell" by Charles Williams...
To Stephen: "Hell" yeah! (Hmm... can I say that?)
To Marge: Was that a challenge, or an invitation? That's really cool. But if guys want to do that and they don't have purses, how does that work...?
AJ
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Elisabeth, the randomness of your thoughts here make more sense than ninety percent of the drivel I read on the internet.
You should update your blog more often, its very pretty :)
That's a fantastic idea for a group to do; I may try that out with the small group I lead :)
I found your blog by way of your mother, who visited my blog and told me about you!
Great writing. Thank you for being so honest and passionate. I found you through your Mom and am so glad I read this article today. I'd love to reprint with your permission in my newsletter
Lisa Marie,
Yes, you most definitely have my permission to reprint this in your newsletter. What is your newsletter for may I ask? I tried to find your blog, but unfortunately something is wrong with the link.
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