The other day I shared a lesson from my cheap, but tough, purse. I thought I would tell the story of one of my other wardrobe malfunctions. (Don’t ask!)

I was traveling to Quantico, Virginia, to attend a ceremony on the drill field of the Marine Corps base. My activities there included meeting with staff members, speaking to midshipmen and, most exciting of all, meeting the general who had just been announced to be the next Commandant of the Marine Corps. (I was blessed with amazing opportunities during my career. I cherish them all.)

This important event needed a new outfit and, because of the type of activities involved, it had to be a pants suit. I found a lovely one with trousers that had a side zipper. (Men, some women’s trousers have flies, others have elastic waist bands, a few have back zippers, and others have side zippers which are always on the left side. ALWAYS on the left side!!). I added a new hat (it would be a sunny day), purse and shoes to my purchases and I was set. 

The day arrived and I drove my generic, white rental car into the huge, open air parking garage, immediately forgetting what floor I had parked on. 

I was early (I usually am) and did a quick navigation of the places I needed to be. Now it was time for a quick stop at the bank of port-a potties. 

It was then that the zipper on the side of my trousers broke. I checked my “new purse.”  Most purses have “stuff” at the bottom: paper clips, safety pins, alligator clamps. No, I had a NEW purse. The lining was lint and “stuff” free. Thank goodness that the trousers had a hook and eye closure at the waistband. I hooked it and plastered my arm to my side where it would stay for the next 5 hours with my purse, hanging from my shoulder, tucked under it. 

That arm never left its post. It stayed glued to the side of my body – hiding the broken zipper, securing that worthless purse, and making sure that nothing, absolutely nothing, showed. It stayed that way on the drill field. It stayed that way when I was at the podium speaking. It stayed that way when I shook hands with the Marine General and walked with him. Nothing moved that arm.

Finally I was done with the activities of the day and it was time to return to my car. Let’s just say that that was another adventure. 

The point of my story is not that life can throw us some curveballs from time to time but that even that person in that beautiful, new suit with hat and purse and shoes may be struggling. 

• That “perfect” home may have drawers and closets overflowing filled with laundry baskets of dirty clothes and tubs of unopened mail. 
• The speaker who seems so very calm may be anxious about the teenager in their home who is growing more angry and distant. 
• The politician who is addressing public issues on the television may be struggling with life-threatening health issues. 
• That pastor may be smiling and laughing but carrying the heavy burdens and secrets of their congregation knowing that “only God knows.”

The Creator of Heaven and earth knew that we would struggle through the challenges of life. He said in Isaiah 54:10 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

We should, in the same way, be compassionate with one another. The world wants us to mock others. It encourages us to be greedy, suspicious and envious. God asks us to be generous, kind and loving. 

I Peter 3:8 directs us to have “unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

As we prepare to celebrate the season, let’s treat others as God teaches us. Let’s promise to let our love be unfailing and our decision to share peace steadfast.

Just a thought…

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)