Amused, I watched my garbage can dangle mid-air along the side of the noisy garbage truck as it traversed the highway on its way to the next stop. The bright blue receptacle had a large gash that caught on one of the loading arms. The driver valiantly tried to release the can, swinging the arms up and down and back and forth as he made his way down the highway. The garbage bin looked like an awkward flag flopping in the wind. Perhaps it wasn’t funny to the truck driver, but I couldn’t help but laugh at the unexpected sight.
The driver finally stopped, got out, and manually pulled the can from the grasp of the robotic arm. As he flung the canister to the side of the road, it did not appear that he was thinking happy thoughts. Neither did my husband when he retrieved it from the ditch, still holding one bag of stinky treasure. Nothing fun about getting rid of garbage, but it is a necessity.
For many years, I was blessed to work with a gentleman who helped our office staff get rid of what he termed our “mistakes.” Mr. B blessed our workplace with his tender, Christ-like demeanor. Although up in years, his physical strength remained evident. He was a true gentle giant, dear to all who knew him. Mr. B’s daily rounds to the offices included collecting and delivering mail and picking up documents to be shredded.
“Are you doing okay?” he would ask, his deep blue eyes twinkling. “Do you have any mistakes I can get rid of for you?” The items to be shredded would disappear into a large bin strapped to industrial-sized hand trucks. Mr. B would happily move on to the shred room to take care of the “mistakes.” The garbage was gone. It was as if it never happened. Removed by a man who loved us well, the mistakes were gone forever. Mr. B offered humility, encouragement, and kindness to everyone.
People tend to hold on to their messes. The trash sticks to our hands, refusing to let go, much like the dangling garbage can held to the truck and then to its smelly trash. Try as we may, we can’t shake it off. We need help. We need someone to take it all away.
Aren’t you glad Jesus is willing to take away all our mess –as far as the east is from the west? Jesus greets us with kind eyes, a word of encouragement, and unconditional love. He alone can remove the sin that holds on tight. Jesus wants to forgive our sins and wash us clean. All we have to do is let it go. Give it to Him and be free.
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12 ESV
“…as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 ESV
Charlene Miller
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#charlenemillerblogs
