I sat out on the porch this morning as a light rain fell and when the rain quit, the sun burst through the cigar smoke clouds like a green spotlight shining down on my yard highlighting the flowers and the trees and the vegetable plants. So beautiful! I love the fresh greenness of the landscape after a rainstorm.

Was sitting in the swing pondering with an old Southern Living, trying to convince myself this afternoon that I was not hot and did not need a fan on the porch, when I came across a Rick Bragg column about his grandmother’s purse. I loved the column. I wrote about it several years ago. He described his grandmother’s purse as a “great warehouse…endless expanses stacked clear to the ceiling with all the treasures of this world — but also with a bunch of hairpins and some Tums.” Course I started thinking about my grandmothers’ purses and what my grandchildren might find in my purse.

My maternal grandmother, Margaret Lane, always had a linen handkerchief in her purse. Sadly, that’s all I remember. I can see her opening her purse during church to get money out for the offering plate but don’t know the contents. Probably some peppermints, car keys, and a billfold. She always had a small soft leather black purse with a little gold snap on the top. Can’t remember even seeing my paternal grandmother, Doris McMurray’s, purse. But I know it had some candy in it! I asked dearest friend if she remembered her grandmother’s purse. “Yes, I remember my grandmother’s purse. I can see it now. It was black with tapestry on the front and back. Inside was a handkerchief, a snuff box, a billfold, and peppermints.” We chuckled about the snuff box.

Made a list of what’s in my purse in case my grandchildren ask me one day — billfold, car keys, check book, 2 packs of Doublemint chewing gum, a pocket knife, two ink pens, cough drops, a peppermint stick, ibuprofen, stamps, post it notes, one of Chief’s handkerchiefs, bandaids, pocket tape measurer, small magnifying eye glass, Alka Seltzer, a chap stick, a lipstick, address book, a cell phone, and a folded piece of paper with all my cell phone contact numbers. And the bottom of the purse is covered in change. And I wonder why it’s heavy!

Bragg wrote if he asked his grandmother for a crescent wrench she would “bring the wrench out with a honey bun, a portable record player, and a three cent stamp.” I love it. Sounds like my purse could fit in that category. As Bragg grew older he realized his grandmother mostly provided candy and chewing gum for him from her purse. Same for me, peppermints at church from Big Ma out of her hand bag as she called it. My daughter Rosie loved a purse. When she was a toddler she’d prance around in her panties with my high heels on her feet and a large purse on her arm. That purse would be crammed full of all her treasures.

Purses were first carried by men 5000 years ago to hold their silver and gold coins. Lots of men carry what’s called a man purse now. Designed like a messenger bag with multiple pockets for laptops, tablets, cell phone, and document organization with a shoulder strap to keep it out of the way. Read somewhere that a well dressed gentleman should have a man purse. Gonna find out what a gentleman carries in his purse.

Now I’m wondering what God would carry in his man purse. Discussed this with dearest friend and youngest son. I was thinking a beautiful linen handkerchief, string and fish hooks, watercolors for wildflowers and songbirds and butterflies, lightning bolts, booming thunder, rays of sunshine, rainbows, lots of prayers and halos. As the discussion deepened we added a small jar of oil for anointing and healing, heaps of forgiveness, hugs, mercy, peace and comfort for all our burdens we put in his hands. Add his love and grace…his purse would bulge. Who knows, he might have a few yo-yos and harmonicas hidden in his bag for the children in heaven and might carry a few shepherd supplies, too.

In the Bible a small leather bag served as a purse to carry money and personal items when traveling. The bag symbolized wealth and trust in God. We read in Luke 12:33, “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.”

We should always focus on our spiritual rewards instead of our earthly possessions. In Matthew 6:29 Jesus tells us to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” We all fill our purses with heavenly treasures when we live a life full of faith, kindness, and compassion, sharing the Gospel and being obedient to our loving God.

Let me know what you think God carries in his man purse.

“Of all the wonders of the earth, nothing surpasses a well-stocked purse.” — Rick Bragg