Changing Pocketbooks

I have one pocketbook that I use every day.
I am quite used to it.
It has a place for everything.
It has a long strap that can be used across my body.

A women’s pocketbook is a mysterious thing.
It is something she has to buy for herself.
A women’s pocketbook goes with her wherever she goes.
It becomes her friend after a while.

A type of pocketbook that works for one woman does not necessarily work for another.
A pocketbook is a very personal thing.
Some women carry large pocketbooks that could easily be mistaken for a suitcase.
Some women carry pocketbooks so small they look more like a wallet.

It is the weekend that causes problems for me.
I always change my pocketbook when I go to church.
I have an armoire in my bedroom that holds my extra pocketbooks.
I go to that armoire on a Sunday morning and choose a pocketbook to go with my outfit.

Women match their shoes to their outfit.
I also match my pocketbook.
I know that my various pocketbooks are a mystery that my husband does not understand.
Even my oldest daughter, does not understand my need to change pocketbooks.

To me, my everyday pocketbook is functional.
However, my Sunday pocketbook is an accessory.
Accessory or not, my pocketbook still has to hold the important things.
It is up to me to empty one pocketbook to fill the other.

That is where I run into problems.
I remember my wallet, since it has my license.
I remember my keys, since I need them to drive the car.
I have occasionally forgotten other essentials if I am in a rush.

I have forgotten my lipstick, which for anyone who knows me, is unheard of.
I have my lipstick and a small mirror tucked in a back pocket of my everyday pocketbook.
Sometimes, I forget about that pocket when I change from one pocketbook to another.
I have forgotten a pen and paper, which is usually in a front pocket for easy accessibility.

It is a terrible feeling when you realize that you have forgotten something.
There is no going back.
I just have to do without.
I failed to have everything I needed within reach.

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.”  ^“No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.” But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us!” “But,” he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13)

Ten young women were waiting for the bridegroom.
Five wise young women came prepared to wait; they had enough oil for their lamps.
The other five young women were foolish and did not bring enough oil to last the entire time.
The wise ones were ready while the foolish ones were not.

The foolish ones brought provisions but did not carefully think ahead in case the wait was long.
The wise ones brought enough oil to last until the bridegroom came.
The foolish ones had to go out and buy more oil for their lamps.
While they were gone, the bridegroom came back.

It is certain that Jesus, our Bridegroom, will return.
All the young women in this parable were sleeping.
What matters is whether we are ready when Jesus returns.
Are we ready at a moment’s notice to go with Him to the Wedding Banquet?

We should not be scrambling to get ready.
Like me, when I change my pocketbook, we must make sure that we are prepared as we wait.
I should not be scrambling to find my lipstick or my pen and paper.
I should make sure that in the transfer, nothing is forgotten.

Forgetting lipstick is one thing.
Not being prepared to enter the Wedding Supper of the Lamb is quite another.
We do not know the day or the hour of Jesus’ return.
However, according to Jesus, we must be prepared as we wait.