Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

~Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

For the first time in two years, my car is not only cleaned out, but also wiped down, windows washed, and vacuumed. The outside was shiny until I drove down my dirt road, but it felt so good having a clean car. I was traveling lighter.

Now that I have a clean car, I realize just how frustrating it has been having a dirty one. I’m always losing important things. There’s never room for passengers without moving stuff around. My floorboard doubles as a trash can and embarrasses me if I have a last-minute passenger. As I dug through all the hidden holes and doors, I found so many unnecessary items. Why did I have a snowman ornament in my car? Or flagging tape? Sharpies? Pairs of socks? So many ridiculous items lived in my car.

Passengers and extensive travel to various destinations packed one weekend. It was a relief to walk to my car and only place items inside instead of making several trips into the house, removing unwanted items and garbage. It was nice traveling lighter.

Lighter isn’t just a physical option either. Traveling lighter emotionally is another big piece as well. I’m also working on that. Dealing with emotions immediately so I’m not overwhelmed. Analyzing responses so I don’t let unwanted habits or attitudes sneak in. Resting and balancing life better so anxiety doesn’t take over. And identifying garbage and junk that just shouldn’t be there.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 40:18-19 NIV

It’s refreshing not to be blindsided as often because I’m relearning how to deal with stuff as it comes instead of shoving and stuffing it away. Just as having a cleaner car relieves pressure, working on a cleaner heart does the same. Maybe it’s time to do some deep cleaning. Physically. And emotionally. There’s no time like the present for traveling lighter.

Think of the extra weight you might be hauling around. Let God teach you how to travel lighter. 

Dear Jesus, I’m guilty of carrying all my junk around with me all the time, especially unwanted and unnecessary emotional baggage. Please help me clean some of that mess out of my mind and heart so I can clearly see your directions. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Traveling Light: Christy Bass Adams: All Rights Reserved.