Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Fresno, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

2010 issue...

Pastor Ted

Dear Friends,

             One of the newsletters we receive at church had a story that I thought was worth sharing with you as we resume schedules moving from the more laid back summer months into a more full Fall schedule. With added activities can come stress that we both feel and that others may impose upon us. We have the choice of how we are going to react to that. This was included in the Bethel Lutheran Home newsletter this summer.

THE LAW OF THE GARBAGE TRUCK

“One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the 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 sincerely friendly. So I asked, ‘Why did you do that? This 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, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of 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. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets and bitterness. So, … love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don’t.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!”

“For God is not unjust. He will not forget your labor of love.”-- Hebrews 6:10

There is enough garbage going around! As Christians we are called to be those who share the grace, love and mercy that God gave to us through Jesus. It’s not always easy when you get dumped on but it is our choice how we will react. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if at the end of your life you could realize that this world is a better place because you were a part of it?

God’s Peace,

Pastor Ted