Joseph’s Packing Up & So Are We

Joseph’s finishing up packing.

He lives in Cincinnati but will be with us for New Year’s.

As he sorts out what to bring here and what to leave there, he frequently texts or calls or sends a picture of whatever’s in question.

“Dad, should I bring this with me?”

I follow his conversational suit and reply with either “Son, that’s a good idea,” or “You really won’t need that, Son.”

A moment ago I heard our familiar dialogue with a different accent.

If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has passed away, writes our friend St. Paul. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

As we approach the end of this calendar year, what are we spiritually and/or emotionally packing to take with us into the new year?

Joseph’s question’s a good one for us to ask prayerfully: “Should I bring this with me?”

And in the silence between the question and the answer we hear this echo: If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has passed away.