Joel M Bradshaw

20My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. 21Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. 22When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.—Proverbs 6

I just came back from traveling to a conference that required two different flights and a hotel stay. Thus I prepared a piece of luggage that I would check and one that was a carry-on.

There are things that I felt I had to take with me. For my health, I took my MS medicine and also some pain pills if I needed them. For my usage of time I took my laptop to work on a second draft of my book and also a book to read. For my comfort I packed a little USB fan to have by my hotel bed. I usually regulate my temperature whenever I get the chance. Most travelers also make sure to have a phone charger.

Those were the things that I really wanted to have with me as I traveled. They joined my clothing and additional travel paperwork as my packing list. Our proverb gives us a different list. Do you pack them for your daily journey?

We learn wise things in life to guide us and prepare us. We invest in remembering and pursuing them, and then are intentional in applying them.

They affect our insides and our outsides. They are thus bound on our hearts and tied around our necks. They are there wherever we walk and even preserve us when we sleep. Best of all, they talk with us throughout our day. I like that last one. They affect the things I tell myself. They thus help me to say “This is good. Keep going!” or “Knock it off!”.The blessing of people in your life who teach you good things.

The best of friends are the ones who unpack the Bible and make it relatable to your journey. Pack that wisdom in your travel bags.–JMB