Talking Trash – Part 1
Someday, I’ll write about the complete craziness of this season of our life. For now, though, let’s just say that I’ve never lived with more spontaneity, more trust, more faith, and (some days) more fear. We have literally been put in a place that necessitates we explore each and every door that God opens. Many days, we have no idea what tomorrow looks like, let alone next week.
If you read this and think, “That sounds amazing,” be careful what you wish for. This is a painful way to grow. There’s something about having a home and knowing that you’ll likely be able to pay your bills each month that allows you to sleep better at night. Yet there’s something about removing the deception of security that most of us walk around with that causes us to look at the world with new eyes. I think my vision is slowly getting clearer.
Last Wednesday, I was at the Hotel del Coronado. You may have heard of it. Beautiful. Historic. Warm. San Diego. Ocean. Picturesque.
Forty-eight hours later, I was in Florida, sleeping like an elementary-school student at a really bad beach camp with roaches waving at me as I slept. Bad food. Showering in flip flops. Communal living. Bunk beds. I took my travel-size Moroccan Hairspray into a gas-station bathroom and was pretty sure that was the first time that place ever smelled so good.
I think my daughter coined the phrase “economic whiplash.” That was last week.
Yet in the middle of the less-than-sophisticated living conditions, there was a message for me. I wonder if it might be a message you need to hear, too?
The first nudge came when I told my new roommate that I’d lost my mind as I looked for a third time for my hairbrush. Of course, I was just making commentary while I hunted, but she smiled and made reference that I shouldn’t say that. And then, an hour or so later, Chris and I might have played hooky to find a good coffee shop and pretend we were civilized. 😇 As we drove, I uttered the words, “Sometimes, I feel like I don’t belong anywhere these days.” He reassured me and then quietly said, “Don’t tell yourself that.” I nodded.
As we returned to our version of student camp, I finally got the message when the speaker referenced how many times Scripture talks about the power of words. For crying out loud, God spoke the world into existence!! Just maybe I underestimate how powerful words can be.
Last week, I challenged you to be careful to guard your thoughts. This week, I’ll take it a step further: What words are you uttering that are tearing you down? Conversely, what words are you speaking that are giving you hope and life?
I challenge you to a two-day test. Make an effort to be aware of what you say and keep track of where your words fall. Then ask someone close to you to help you break the habit that I found I’d accidentally fallen into.
Your words matter! Speak life over yourself. Just the difference between “I’ll never get this right” and “I keep getting closer” takes us down a completely different path. Let’s choose the right path and let’s stop talking trash.