I am still finding the sticky remnants of packing tape on my pots and pans.
Six years ago, my mom and I {geniuses that we are} decided that we would bubble-wrap and packing tape all of my even-close-to-being breakables for my move from DC to middle-Georgia.
We spent hours using yards of clear-plastic packing tape fastening bubble wrap around pots, pans, Pampered Chef cookware, glassware, and silverware.
We invested in a plethora of packing tape and started the taping brigade. Nothing escaped the feathery wisp of the Scotch-brand sealant as it lured everything into its vice-grip.
If it was standing still, we taped it.
When our task was finished, we had successfully taped up the majority of my kitchen into hermetically-sealed plastic pockets of impenetrable bubble-dom and called it a day.
My stuff all made it down to Georgia safely.
But six years later I am still getting stuck to my pots and pans.
Safe but sticky.
I wonder how often we attempt to tape up our hearts so that they will not get damaged along our journey…
We wrap them in bubble wrap
Tape them up tight
And seal them off from getting broken
I am guilty of hermetically sealing myself inside of a bubble so that my heart will not get broken.
Closing out the bad
Sealing off the cracks
Protecting myself from wear and tear
But just like the pots and pans, I carry sticky residue with me years later.
Packing tape can protect a pan for a tumultuous moving season, but the residue is not worth the hassle.
What if I entered into change unhindered by my efforts at self-protection?
What if I fully offered my heart to God… to my husband… to my friends and stepped outside of my bubble to engage with them?
What if?
I would have a lot less sticky-tape to remove years later.
by Jenny @ Rainmakers and Storm Chasers (JennyRain.com)
Leave a Comment
Caroline says
Such strong “What if” questions. They need such a simple answer, yet it’s still so hard to do sometimes!
I love these verses in the Psalms for trusting Him:
“Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.” – Psalm 62:8
“In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?” – Psalm 56:10-11
Jenny says
Caroline, music to my ears… was just praying about trust this morning and reflecting on it 🙂
~just me~ says
Sometimes the packaging makes it break worse. Like a paper that looks like it could rip so you tape over the weak spots and when it really does tear the tape that was protecting it makes it rip that much worse. That is me. trying so hard to keep everything together that it just makes me fall harder.
Jenny says
oh so true… praying for you today that God gently ministers to those broken places with the beautiful healing breath of His love…
Holley Gerth says
Jenny, your beautiful post reminds me of one of my favorite C.S. Lewis quotes…
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless–it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”
Thanks for reminding us to risk!
Jenny says
Holley – love that… had never heard of that quote before, but it so beautifully describes what it is to love… thanks 🙂
Ashley Pichea says
I love this quote! Thanks for sharing it – it fits so well with this post and challenge!
Lexi MacKinnon says
What a great post to remind us to get out of our own way! I truly want to live the life you are speaking of. I want to love radically in a way that doesn’t require packing tape because I am entrusting my heart to GOD. Thanks for sharing girl! =)
Jenny says
Lexi – so well spoken… how often I trip over my own two feet because I’m in my way… I pray that you love radically this Christmas season 🙂
When Packing Tape Can’t Keep It Unbroken | Rainmakers and Stormchasers says
[…] rest of this post, hop on over to (in)courage! I’m guest posting there […]
Dena Dyer says
I love this, Jenny. Holley, your quote reminds me of Shadowlands, a great movie with a great set of performances. To love is to risk…but I tend to protect myself too much. I DO want a pliable, genuine, ready-to-lose heart. But I need Jesus to help me! Thanks for such great questions to start a Monday with.
Jenny says
me too… it’s hard to know exactly how to love, and how to risk opening our hearts to receive love. I’ll have to check out shadowlands – thanks!
Michael says
You have me asking what if? Right now.
I think that if I stepped out there would be a lot more joy in my life.
Jenny says
Michael – read this as Chris Tomlin’s “Joy to the World” is running thru my head… praying an extra dose of JOY for you and your family this Christmas season 🙂
AprilK says
Well said, Jenny. This is a message I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. It’s so scary to open yourself up to the possibility of being hurt or broken. But I believe the rewards far outweigh the risk.
Jenny says
so true… I have to keep reminding myself that the benefits are greater… the benefits are greater… sigh 🙂
Jason says
“If it was standing still, we taped it.”
I LOVE THAT!!!
My first move was that way and then when I hit move seven I was like “eh…throw it in a box and let’s see if it makes it.” 🙂
Jenny says
I know – for reals! My second move back up to DC I just gave everything away 🙂 tee hee!
Ashley Pichea says
What a great analogy. When we move, I use newspaper to “cushion” my breakables. And I have the understanding that nothing is too valuable – if it breaks, it can be fixed or replaced.
Having that same approach to life {and my heart} will help me to live a fuller life, filled with more blessings and love. Sure, life can hurt sometimes, but Jesus can pick up the broken pieces and put them back together.
Thanks for sharing and for challenging me to live with cushioning, not covering!
Jenny says
Ashley I love that “challenging me to live with cushioning not covering” – that is a beautiful analogy too 🙂
gitz says
I love that we’re sharing this day here together, and I love your heart. I know the sticky can get in the way, but it also is there to remind you of how to choose now. And you have chosen beautifully in all the ways you have been a friend to me. I appreciate you!
Jenny says
Sweet Gitz… YOU make it very easy to be a friend to and I too love that we get to share this space (smiling huge as I write this)… I learn so much from you and take you in my heart with me so many places… you help me see life differently and peel off those little sticky pieces of tape one, tiny, piece at a time… I’m so grateful for your example of transformative and abundant love to everyone 🙂 Hugs
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
I LOVE having both of you in the beach house hanging out and sharing your stories on the same day! Super cool. And it wasn’t even planned. I know. ‘Cause I know the gal that plans these things 🙂
Hugs to you both!
LJ
alece says
this is so good, rainboots. i find it easier to keep my heart on lockdown these days… but i know it’s only an illusion of “safer”. no matter how much i try, i can’t keep my heart from getting hurt. so why do i try so hard?!
thank you for loving me through this season and journeying this path with me. i’m grateful for your friendship.
Jenny says
Sigh, Scooter… I so get that. I still struggle with unlocking my heart somedays and still find myself peeling little pieces of tape off every now and then… you know I’m praying for you… regularly, diligently, faithfully. This season may be having a hey-day in your life now, but it will pass too, I promise sweet friend.
Thanks for being you, and for letting me be a part of the journey.
(((Hugs friend)))
coop says
exactly what I needed to read today. thanks!
Rose says
Love! Thank you!
Joy Eggerichs says
Great post Jenny! Maybe you have come a long way, but from what I know of you, your heart has been nothing but open and vulnerable to those around you. I feel loved by you and have never even met you!!!
Melissa says
oh jenny…blessed to see you here. your writing always challenges me in all the right ways. may we yearn for that authentic relationship among our deepest friends. sometimes even just saying outloud, i have a wall up breaks down the facade we hide behind.
Cheryl Smith says
You’re so right. When we guard our hearts too tightly, our attempts end up blocking us from being intimate with others, even blocking our ability to receive God’s deep and intimate love for us.