The other day, I was reading the online series called “The Daily Encourager.” It sends me an inspirational message every day.
This particular message was called “The Law of the Garbage Truck” and the author told a story about a time when he was in a cab and the driver almost had an accident.
“We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us,” the author writes. “My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!”
Ironically, however, it was NOT the taxi cab driver who was upset, but the driver of the other car. “[He] whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.”
The author questions the taxi driver: “Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!”
The taxi driver answered: Some people are like garbage trucks. They walk around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment, resentment -- and as their garbage begins to pile up, they need a place to dump it. Sometimes they'll dump it on you.The taxi driver adds: But don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
This particular message was called “The Law of the Garbage Truck” and the author told a story about a time when he was in a cab and the driver almost had an accident.
“We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us,” the author writes. “My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!”
Ironically, however, it was NOT the taxi cab driver who was upset, but the driver of the other car. “[He] whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.”
The author questions the taxi driver: “Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!”
The taxi driver answered: Some people are like garbage trucks. They walk around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment, resentment -- and as their garbage begins to pile up, they need a place to dump it. Sometimes they'll dump it on you.The taxi driver adds: But don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
You see, people who are truly spiritually and emotionally mature don’t let others disrupt their day. They are thermostats where others are thermometers. They set the temperature. They control the situation. They influence the circumstance rather than allowing the circumstance to influence them.
So, I ask you. Are you a garbage truck or a garbage remover?
Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?
God bless,
J.W.
“I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:43-45
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