I have come to the
conclusion there are at least two types of people in this world. There are
those who go through life leaving a trail of debris behind. And then there
those who come after them and pick up the trash.
There is a senior couple
I frequently encounter when we drive to our daughter’s house. The two can be
seen traipsing along a stretch of country road. The man is carrying a trash bag
while the woman uses a long reach pick-up tool to grab pieces of litter along
the roadside, depositing the trash into the garbage bag. I have encountered
this couple too many times to count. Each time I see them I wonder what
motivates this couple to be so concerned about someone else’s trash.
One way to view this
scenario is that some people are messy and throw litter out of their car window
indiscriminately. The other scenario is some people are neat freaks and dislike
things out of place. I can understand this. In the gym I attend, I frequently
encounter a sink strewn with shaving cream and beard clippings when I go to
wash my hands. I have been tempted to install a sign saying: Clean up after yourself; your mother doesn’t
work here!
With the New Year just
beginning and the typical round of resolutions we consider, think about the
following. Sometimes people leave emotional trash and consequences behind
because of their lifestyle. Sometimes people are called to pick up the pieces
and help someone get back on their spiritual track. Scripture reminds us there
is a time for this and a time for that; a time for every purpose under heaven.
Have an open mind to where the Lord calls or pushes you. Be ready to provide a
helping hand. But before we take that first step as servant-encourager, we need
to look within our own heart.
A good place to start your New Year resolutions is
Psalm 51.
Create in me
a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from
thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me Restore unto me the joy of
thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Robert Parlante
January 2016
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