The Law of the Garbage Truck
- Jeff Kent
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
One day I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really friendly.
So I asked, “Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!”
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call “The Law of the Garbage Truck.”
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage – frustration, anger, disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you.
Don’t 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.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don’t.
– via mikeysfunnies.com
Jesus would agree with the taxi driver but takes it to another level: “...love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” This isn’t easy to do and must be learned as a person grows in Christ. But to return good for evil (Romans 12:21) has a two-fold blessing. It brings a fulfilling joy, and it honors our heavenly Father.
Oh, and there’s one final take-away from our “Law of the Garbage Truck.” Don’t be a “garbage truck!” Take care of your “garbage” before it piles up. Jesus will help you do that, too.
><> Jeff
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