Designer Bag

While we were on a recent trip to Florida, a friend back home contacted me and requested, if we were near any flea markets, that I look at the designer bags (purses) for sale, and if possible, to pick up one or two for her. We laughed about this, because my friends know that I don't carry a purse and haven't for years. My practice is that if it doesn't fit in my pocket, then I don't need it, and this has worked well for me. As it turned out, we didn't go to any flea markets, but we often joked about this on the way home: me, picking out a designer bag!

Recently, this friend had a birthday, and after I purchased her gift, I began to look for paper to wrap it. Then I saw it: the designer bag. It was the most beautiful designer bag that I had ever seen. It was small, with two woven brown handles that opened up to lie flat on the table with a large opening. It was decorated on both sides with the picture of a lovely English cottage. It was made out of brown paper, so she will need to be careful in the rain. But what made this designer bag special, though, was the verse that was printed on both sides:

Psalm 29:11 – The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. (NKJV)

This was no ordinary designer bag, but a gift bag — a gift bag that proclaimed the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. What greater strength is there than the strength of Jesus Christ? What source of lasting peace is there, other than in Him?

My friend proudly carries her new designer bag with her every day, proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ to all who ask her.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we stand on Your promise to give us strength through Your Word. Thank You, Lord, that You want to bless Your people with peace, and we receive that peace in our lives today. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.