Back in January of 2008 (Holy Smokes, that was SEVEN years ago!) I remember hunting the outdoor stores for something I’ve never owned before: a ski – ahem, snowboard – suit: a durable outer upper shell; puffy warm jacket underneath; and a lined and equally durable pair of ski pants. But the one thing I was thinking in the aisles of REI that day had very little to do with fashion, excitement, or adventure…this outfit was (bleep) EXPENSIVE!

“But it’s SO practical!” came the voice on the other end of the cash register, and the voice from the other side of my near-buyer’s-remorse-malaise. “Think about it. You may not get a huge amount of wear out of the pants day to day, but the 3-in-1 jacket/shell upper combo is something you’ll get tons of wear out of. You can wear the outer shell if it’s just raining, or windy, or whatever. And if it’s really cold and rainy/snowy, you can wear the inner jacket AND the liner. If it’s not raining or snowing and you want a quick, warm jacket to throw on, the inner jacket is your solution. Options 1, 2, or 3. You’re golden!”

The lady who sold it to me was nothing if not convincing. 🙂

And I suppose she was right. I still use the upper 3-in-1 combo all the time. I even pack away the (fairly-compressible) inner jacket on back country outings. The outer shell is a little thicker than a waterproof windbreaker, so that often stays at home on the heavy-duty (lightweight) backpack outings.

But to be honest, this blog post is much less about gear than it is about the ability we all have to adjust to life’s tempests with good choices, solid planning, and “packing” our spiritual and relational gear in ways that makes sense. When we can react quickly and it all makes sense, that is. How many times have you left the house with the right coat, but the wrong (that is, zero) gloves? How many times have you brought the right notebook to a meeting, but not the right notes?

When I think of my “outerwear,” I sometimes go to that place where my own practicality and efforts fall short, and I need to rely on something else, and someone else to help me cover the bases, someone who’s “got my back.”

Who or what is that “3-in-1” outerwear for you? (Armchair theologian punsters, beware!)