Two Bags for the Journey
This past Sunday, a special young woman was commissioned by our church for an overseas assignment in Sierra Leone. During the ceremony, the speaker shared a piece of advice she received from a colleague: bring two bags for the journey, one full and one empty. The wisdom came from a colleague I know well; he had been a special part of several of my international journeys, and we had partnered together in the past.
As I sat there, my mind transported me back several decades, to one of my first overseas experiences. During training, I was also told to bring two bags for the journey. One of the gifts I carried then was a poem I had written in both English and Spanish. Watching the beauty and community of family, friends, and church surround this young woman, I remembered that piece.
So I came home and wrote, adding some updates. I dedicate this first to KC and to all of us, because in one way or another, we are all on a life journey. Bring along your two bags—one full, and one empty.
I brought along two bags for my life journey
One was full and the other was empty
The one that was full was filled to the brim
With my talents, my gifts and all I have within
To pour out all the gifts was my Creator’s Will
So I will have two empty bags to fill
I am a firm believer
In the gifts of a being a receiver
I want to be able to recognize and see
All the gifts and experiences right in front of me
My bags were filled with the gifts of connections
Relationships formed by divine intersections
My bags were filled with stepping out of comfort zones
Filling my bags with faith in more ways than I’ve ever known
My bags will be filled with life giving restoration
Along with creativity, visions and inspiration
Lord, fill up my bags on this journey
Help me recognize the ways you speak to me
Through sunsets and sunrises
Unexpected surprises
Fill my bag with treasuring the gift of time
Making the most of each moment
Fill my bag by allowing myself to feel
Fill my bag with received wisdom from myself,
Those around me and from above
But most of all, fill my bag with all forms of love
My two bags will filled to the overflow
I’ll pour these gifts out into the world so
That I can continue my life journey to grow
I brought along two bags for my life journey
One was full and the other was empty
The one that was full was filled to the brim
With my talents, my gifts and all I have within
To pour out all the gifts was my Creator’s Will
So I will have two empty bags to fill
I am a firm believer
In the gifts of a being a receiver
Fill me up
Until I overflow
Fill me up
For life’s journey flow
Life Is A Journey,
Sheila P Spencer
As I wrote this the melody from Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s song “Fill Me Up” was the soundtrack playing in my spirit. I share it with you . may it fill you up.