Laugh Lines

A Purse Full of Purpose

“That’ll be $1.86,” the clerk told me, twirling her hair.

Reaching into my purse, I began the search for the loose dollar bills I had dropped in from a previous run to the bank. Triumphantly, I raised a one-dollar bill and laid it on the counter. The clerk smirked with impatience and began to mentally sum up the cost of the items of the man behind me. Feeling pressure to conclude this transaction, I continued looking until I spotted another dollar at the bottom of my purse. Extracting the dollar while exclaiming, “Here it is!” I placed my newfound treasure in the clerk’s hand. She looked at me and then looked at her hand, then she did a retake. She began to laugh. I always like a good joke, so I began giggling, too. She held up my other “dollar.” I had handed the lady a pantyliner! Horrified, I mumbled, “I suppose you only take American currency here.” I threw some change down, grabbed my goods and made a break for the car.

You might ask, “How could that happen?” That question could only come from women who carry what I like to call the “Boy Scout Purse.” My friend, Kathy, is one of those women. She believes there is, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” This purse-carrier is handy to have around because she is “always prepared” no matter what. Got a cut? She’s got a Band-Aid®. Lost a button? She’s got needle and thread. Short on money? She’s got a coupon—lots of coupons.

Now mind you, I have all of those things in my purse, too. It’s just stored differently. I like to think of my purse as “free and spontaneous” but my children call it “The Black Hole.” If they need money for lunch, I’ll tell them, “Look in my purse.” They roll their eyes and say, “I’d find a giant squid sooner.” I laugh, “You just have to know where to look.” I look in the purse and begin to pull out all kinds of fabulous items. “Why, look! It’s a church bulletin from Christmas last year. That was a nice program, wasn’t it? Oh, and remember that hamburger you couldn’t finish at lunch yesterday?. . . and here’s a sticky note with a message on it to call someone.” Unfortunately, it’s sticky for reasons other than the manufacturer’s design. “See it’s all in there,” I smugly reply. But the children have already gone to Dad to beg money from his very small neat wallet. His wallet may be more efficient, but my purse has purpose. Everything I need to get through a day is in my purse.

Each morning, I load the kids up for school, and head out the door. I drop the kids off at their respective schools and go to the first place on my errand list. Oh, no! I can’t believe it. I’ve forgotten my purse. What a terrible feeling when that happens. I stop immediately, and head back to the house to pick up my purse before I get on with my day.

Yet, how many times have I run out the door without asking the Lord to direct my steps? How many conversations have I entered without filling myself with God’s wisdom and favor? God wants to fill us with His purpose and the essential power we need for daily life. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul reminds us, “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” We need that unique sense of purpose to truly make a difference for Him on a daily basis.

So tomorrow as I head out the door I’ll pick up my purse, then stop and ask God to fill my “Purse Full of Purpose” with His direction and plans for my day. May I always be as diligent in carrying the purpose God has for me into each day as I am in carrying my purse.

Pam & Kathy’s Top 7 Tips for Helpful Purse Contents

A one-dollar bill can be used as a measuring tool. It equals approximately 6 inches.
An old lipstick tube can be used as a portable sewing kit which contains needles, thread and safety pins.
Empty film canisters or mint tins can hold Band-Aids®, spare earrings, antacids and loose change.
A portable stain remover perfect for “on the spot” treatment is a foil-wrapped glycerin suppository. Keep a couple in your purse for grass stains, tea spills or hot fudge drips. Rub it in and wash the stains or spills later.
A small key-ring flashlight is recommended for women to carry to quickly locate a car door lock or door entry.
A small memo pad with pencil for notes or quick memos.
An empty envelope to keep receipts, coupons, notes and other things collected through the day.