Old Handbags and Faithful Friends

“I can’t find my money or my card!”

I felt sorry for the woman as I sat next to her in the dimly lit restaurant, watching her dig through a purse that was both too small and too big. It was so small that everything was crammed tightly into it, yet it was too big. It hid the thing she needed most.

Her friend of many years sat across from her observing the situation.

“I can just pay your bill with my card, and you can Venmo me.”

But our mutual friend objected and kept digging, determined to find the elusive money and card.

“It’s in here, I know it is. Where else could it be?”

Together we watched her pull receipts, keys, and numerous other articles from the purse’s depths. It was pretty amazing to see how much stuff that small bag held. Surely now the card would be uncovered.

But still no card, no cash.

“Where could you have put it? Did you go anywhere else after the ATM?”

“No! I got it out on my way here. There is nowhere else for it to be.”

But it was no use. The card and the cash could not be found, and her friend, ready to end the drama and be on our way, stepped in and covered the bill. The frantic digging ceased, the paraphernalia was returned to the bag’s depths, and we left the restaurant.

Once out in the car and snuggled securely in my seat, I watched the second part of the purse performance play out in front of me.

The contents of the small handbag were again brought out into the light of day, this time into the lap of the woman who had paid the bill. They made a pile between her jean-clad legs as she determinedly emptied her friend’s bag.

“It’s got to be in here! Why do you have such a small bag anyway? Where is the one you usually use?”

“It tore and I have another one ordered but it didn’t come yet. I’m just using this for now.”

More determined digging and then…

“Aha! Here it is!” Her hand came up, victoriously waving both cash and card.

It was in the bowels of the imperfect handbag after all.

We breathed a collective sigh of relief and the two friends settled down to enjoy the rest of the afternoon, exploring the stores and the charm of an unfamiliar town.

Hours later, I settled into my back seat position for the ride home. I smiled to myself; it had been a wonderful afternoon. As I tuned in to the relaxed chatter coming from the front seats, it was obvious to me that these two women had the kind of relationship that spanned more than a decade. They reminded me of the old handbag, worn and comfortable, and possibly holding valuable stories and secrets the rest of us know nothing about.

Today, I giggle to myself as I recall the incident and my glimpse into the friendship of these women. I too, have old friends who share decades of history with me. It takes years of funny and exasperating situations to develop a friendship so intimate that you feel free to grab up your friend’s purse without asking and dump its contents into your lap. After all, a woman’s purse is her own territory, the contents a private affair. Not just anyone’s hand is allowed entrance.

Building a relationship with Jesus has a similar vein to it. Some of us have gotten off to a rough start, made to believe that a friendship with Him is one of distance and needs to be treated with kid gloves. It is precarious and he is easily offended.

Time spent with Him changes that perspective. Tentative conversation slowly turns into confident expressions of the heart. Trust begins to develop. What at first felt risky and insecure becomes solid and indestructible. The uncertainty that stems from our imperfections, and the fear of his judgment begins to recede. In its place grows a desire for more.

More conversation. More comfortability. More transparency, and more intimacy.

After a while, letting him dig into the depths of our handbag doesn’t seem so dangerous, because the fear of judgment has been replaced with the joy of solid acceptance.

No matter what is in your handbag today, whether junk and receipts, or cash and cards of gold, or maybe a mixture of it all, you don’t have to worry about Jesus. He will stick with you, helping you sort out your mess.

If you let him dig deep enough, he will eventually pull his hand out, wave a bright shiny nugget for all to see, and shout triumphantly, “I found gold. I knew it was there all along!”

He can do that, because, well, you have allowed him to become as comfortable as an old handbag.

The very best kind of friend to have!

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” Pro. 17:17

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.” John 15:9