Sunday, February 18, 2007

A New Bag

Yesterday the handle to my bag broke. It was annoying to me because it happened late at night. We had a conference at our church and I was busy all weekend. I wasn't sure when I would get the opportunity to buy another one. I usually get the same style or color bag every time. As much as I vary in my tastes in so many areas of interests, I usually get a black or brown bag. It must have a separate compartment for my cell phone and at least two major compartments for other stuff.

Today after church Tom and I had to make a quick stop at Wal-Mart. While there I asked him if he wouldn’t mind me looking at the bags. He was kind enough to humor me. So I made a bee line for the same exact style and color bag I have now. My dear hubby comes over to me and says, “I believe God has a new bag for you.” At this point I wanted to cry, but I didn’t. I just didn’t have a brain to think or to try to hear God. At our church we teach classes that have to do with the Art of Hearing God and dream interpretation. One of the exercises we do is to let God speak to us through an object. He saw the frustration I was feeling. He went on to say, “I think it’s red and God will speak to you through it.”

I’m thinking to myself okay I’ll give this a shot. So we look around and I find a red bag and it’s something I never would have bought for myself. (See picture above.) It’s pretty but I’m not that bold in the bag department.

I took my new bag home and as I started to transfer the stuff from my old bag into the new bag. It started to speak to me. I took some time to pray and when I look at my new bag this is what God spoke to me –

It’s a one zipper bag instead of two because my role will be more defined. There is a snake skin pattern on it. A snake sheds its skin and there is a new one underneath – God’s shedding my old nature and a new one is waiting underneath. It’s like new wine skin for the new wine He has for me. The red represents passion for Him and for life that I once had. It also stands for His blood that was shed for me to have that new life and have it abundantly. The bag is bigger than what I usually get because the new thing is bigger than what I’m use to. I felt He told me that passion, freedom and hope is mine – that is His promise to me. That I will have renewed passion in my love for Him, my love for Tom, my love for my children and my love for His people. I will have freedom to express myself in the call He has placed on my life – freedom to worship Him, to love Him, to be creative and be one with Tom. I will have hope that these are not mere words on a page but a promise.

So thank you Lord for your encouragement to me today. I will look upon my bag daily and be reminded of your love and promise for me.

© Nadine Z. 2007

17 comments:

Jenna said...

Thats one amazing purse..not only is it hot..but it speaks!!

Nicole said...

I love it. I saw another red purse this weekend and it was great too. It must be a popular color for spring. Cute Cute!!

Anonymous said...

Cool that God gave you something that will encourage you everyday, a love note to be read and held before facing the day. And you look great in red!

Mrs.Martin said...

I do believe the Lord can speak to us in any way we will open our minds to allow Him. Beautiful purse in more ways than just one.

By the way, I have a RED purse too. I love it, I am a red person. The only thing is you have to wear alot of browns, taupes and earth tones to go with it. Very symbolic too.

Have a good day!

Trina said...

I really enjoyed your post. I, too, have a red bag. Also, my sister, as she commented below...lol
I love how the Lord revealed all that to you. I believe you have to have FAITH that God made those promises to you, than He surely will deliver on them. First, we must believe. I hope that purse is a daily reminder of your relationship to Him. Neat Post!

Anonymous said...

Very cute! I found a really cute $5 purse at Wal-mart the other day..a must have! Who can pass up a $5 purse, right?? LOL

Emancipation of the Freed said...

It's a new day with a new way for you to carry your identity.

Red suits you, you make that bag look good!

Z

meNmykids said...

I love the purse, and the talk. God is good to all who trust in Him. I think it is wonderful that your husband shows such intuitiveness.
Gale

marykathryn said...

What a special relationship we can have with the Lord if we just allow ourselves...thanks for the reminder!
Have a great day!!

Lala's world said...

that is so great! love the red, love the word He gave you too! amen

Art said...

That's wild. I guess if you're in the right place spiritually, you can hear God through almost anything!

palmtreefanatic said...

wow! Thats amazing! I love it, I'm with you on the boldness bag department...I like black or brown to go with all things too but this well this just suits you! AWESOME story...

Shionge said...

First of all this is an amazing pretty bag :) Next I wanted to say is that through you Nadine, I began to see things in a different perspective...such simple pleasure in life and you put it all so well.

Thank you for sharing...and yes I must say it again, I love your new bag :)

Unknown said...

wow. talking handbags... actually, alive and omnipresent God who still speaks... who-da-thunk? all that and you're an amazing person as well!

I love you with all my heart!
L

a woman who is said...

The bag is definitely you! I love it. It will speak to me too, every time I see you with it, I will believe with you, for all God has promised you.

Theresa said...

Beautiful purse. Beautiful post. Everytime I see a red purse, I'm gonna think of you.

Thank you for your prayers.

yerdoingitwrong said...

cute, cute, cute bag! And great post, girl!!