I recently switched to my fourth bag in six years of pastoral ministry at New Life. I bought a leather briefcase that was too small and came apart at the seams followed by a leather briefcase that was too large and stiff. I gave up on the briefcase experiment and for the past three years I have used my son’s hand-me-down backpack from his middle school years. My wife and kids constantly teased me about my middle school backpack. But you know,

Fast forward to a couple of months ago. I was tagging along on a shopping trip and found a backpack tucked away on a clearance rack. It was love at first sight, and not just because of the 60% off tag. Made of canvas and leather it felt durable and yet malleable in my hands.

I picked up the bag and noticed detail after detail in the craftsmanship. A perfectly sized and padded pocket for my laptop, hidden interior pockets, comfortable straps, a high-quality zipper with a durable pull, magnetic latches, and two side pockets that cried out, “Put your coffee Contigo in me!”

There is something compelling about a well-made item.