September 5, 2023
“And A Southern Woman’s Pocketbook Shall Supply All Of Your Needs..”
I recently attended a funeral for a relative of someone in our church. I was sitting on the back pew (Something that most pastors don’t get to do) waiting for about 10 minutes for the service to start. A precious true Southern Belle grandmotherly type lady was sitting on the pew in front of me.
As we were sitting and waiting a person asked the lady if she had some gum. The lady opened her big ole pocketbook and proceeded to open a side pocket and dispense gum to everyone around. In a little bit someone else asked her if she had any Kleenex. Once again, the pocketbook was opened and small packs of Kleenex were available for anyone that would like one. Next someone needed a pair of nail clippers – you guessed it. The lady with the pocketbook supplied some nail clippers.
When the pocketbook was opened for the second and third times, I peeked over the lady’s shoulder into the purse. I could see just about anything that you would need to survive. I saw a bottle of water, a small Bible, a comb, a package of Q tips, Bobbie pins, packages of crackers, make-up of various kinds, extra glasses, matches, a tooth brush, and even the handle of a pistol. If you needed it, this lady probably had it in her purse. I don’t know if she was ever a scout or not but she was prepared.
This made me think of Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” This precious lady had most everything that anyone needed in her pocketbook but there is one thing that she couldn’t supply. She couldn’t supply a person with salvation. That only comes from faith in Jesus. She could take out the Bible and show you about salvation, but she couldn’t supply it herself. She seemed to be a fantastic lady but she didn’t die for your sins.
As prepared as this lady was for most every situation here on earth, I wondered if she (or us) was just as prepared to go to Heaven. The good news is that we don’t have to pack anything to go to Heaven. All of our needs will be met and the price has already been paid. But we must maintain our relationship with Jesus in order to go to Heaven.
In love with Jesus – Gary Mimbs