10 JUNE

GODLY WISDOM BRINGS GENTLENESS (2)

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

A story is told of The Law of the Garbage Truck, and it goes thus: “James was in a taxi when a car swerved recklessly in front of the taxi. The taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the other car narrowly. What are you imagining? Anger, abusive words? Yes, most likely but surprisingly not from the taxi driver but from the driver of the other car. He stuck out his finger threateningly while yelling abusive words. The taxi driver shouted a friendly, God bless you! 

“Why did you just do that?” James asked. He was about to yell back when the driver calmed him down and explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They move around full of garbage: frustration, anger and disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and many times dump it on others. We should not take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. If someone treats you badly, just remember there is something wrong with him, not you, and pray for him! Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it!  So, make the best of it with joy.

ACTION: Determine to make the best of life with joy, irrespective of the garbage thrown at you.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me grace to build and not destroy lives.