Mockers, Take Heed

Good news! Belly packs are now haute couture! No less an authority than the NY Times raved about them. This is exceptionally good news for me as I have a huge collection of belly packs (This picture above is a portion of my collection.) Some call them fanny packs but I usually wear them slung across my belly so those seeing me for the first time get the full dose of my impeccable fashion sense.

Belly packs apparently debuted in 1962, lived a short life in the fashion world, and then became a laughing stock. I knew I was mocked, though I had no idea that this staple of comfort-conscious fashionistas began so long ago! The heyday of fanny packs was in the 80s, and then no one (except me) would be caught dead in them.

My children, horrified by their belly packing mama bought me very nice purses. I did use those purses for church, but at all other times, belly packs made so much more sense! They don't tug tired shoulders and pull weak neck muscles like purses do, they free up one's arms, and they come in all sizes. I have sometimes gone a whole weekend on all I can stuff in my largest belly pack. My velvet embroidered belly pack is for dress-up occasions, though I believe my sisters gave it to me as a joke.

But now, I have the last laugh ( a belly laugh, of course.) The NY Times is calling me a trendsetter and belly packs are commanding top dollars among the hipster crowd. According to this montage of glamorous belly packs, I just haven't been spending enough on my belly packs. My fashion error was not one of concept but of cost point.

Now this fetching pack in the photo above could get me safely across the Sahara desert. In emergencies, it can double as a tent. I don't know why people have made fun of me all these years. It is gratifying to know that at last, I am getting the adulation and respect I deserve.

So, what is God's message in light of this new development? I think it is obvious, but will be explicit for those of you less trained in spiritual discernment.

Isaiah 51: 7-8 says it all: “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” 

When you know you have right on your side, stand up for it proudly. Do not fear the reproach of others, or be dismayed when they mock you. If God is with you, none can be against you, and in the end you will be with Him forever while the mockers will be worm food. (Belly packs will be unnecessary in heaven however, since we will have no need to carry anything. It is an all-inclusive resort.)
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Isaiah 11:5

⁵ Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins,
And faithfulness the belt about His waist.