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Empty Your Pockets


Mom of boys. Nothing could have prepared me for the adventure  and roller coaster of raising sons. I grew up with sisters. If I’m being completely transparent, I was the girly-girl. My older sister was always practical and logical, and my younger sister was sort of a tomboy, although she didn’t play sports. She always loved the outdoors. Not me. I liked playing with my Barbies, reading Nancy Drew and Sweet Valley High, and makeup. I spent one night each week giving myself a facial and/or pedicure. It’s safe to say that when I found out I was having my first boy, I was a little nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. In all honesty, I still don’t understand them most of the time. I now see how being a boy-mom is a perfect fit for me, but I’m learning as I go... and they definitely keep me on my toes.

For example, over the course of sixteen years (since I’ve had Wess and he was old enough to find “treasures”), I have washed and dried various objects including, but not limited to: rocks (so many rocks!) BB’s, nerf bullets, gum wrappers, marbles, hot wheels cars, snake rattles (yikes!), pocket knives, fishing lures, and food wrappers, most recently an empty bag of pistachios. 


Now, most mothers may wonder why I don’t check their pockets. Well, my answer is simple. I’m afraid to even know! Besides that, I can’t count the number of times I’ve reminded my guys (Lyndon included!) to EMPTY THEIR POCKETS each night. Who knew that so much could be stored in those pockets. That got me thinking. Do I need to empty my spiritual pockets?


We are so eager to turn things over to God, but what about the little things we have hiding in our pockets. I can tell you from experience that a good washing is all it takes to reveal those secret things we’ve held on to. What are you holding? Maybe, like my guys, you’ve tucked something away and forgot it was even there. It may be time to allow God to reveal these hidden things. You can say like the Psalmist:


“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:23-24‬ ‭NLT‬‬


So what’s in your pockets? Is it worth jeopardizing your walk with Christ? What about your relationship with others?  If you’ve got some hidden “treasures” in your pockets, I challenge you to empty those pockets and discover life more abundantly.


© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.

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