“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:4 NLT)
Talking trash is a slang expression that could be used to refer to a variety of verbal expressions that will come out of the mouths of families that gather together on this Thanksgiving Day. Let’s hope trash talking is not present when roll call is taken on this day to be thankful. Let’s hope trash talking, even when intended to be funny does not take a turn down the wrong avenue, while the conversation is taking a trip down memory lane. Trash talking; hopefully there won’t be any comments or exchanges that are intended do crush a relative’s ego or disrespect one’s endeavors in an attempt create tension while downplaying someone’s accomplishments just to elevate one’s own ego. Hopefully, there will not be a series of exchanges that evolve around who is the best at something or was the best, while both “combatants” exchange words where they can be heard putting down each other, or is heard making jest of a person who is connected to them by blood, referring to family lineage and of course, the blood of Christ, just to make folks laugh. Trash talking, hopefully there is no family gossip taking center stage because someone did not show up for the gathering. As Christians, we are better than that, right? But you want to know something, I really did not sit down this morning to write about trash talking as I just finished doing. No I had something different on my mind.
When I went to bed, thinking about today’s focus, I was really centered in on writing something a little light that would lead to a lot of laughs or in a more serious way, lead to a lesson to be learned. Talking trash was still my plan. Can I share with you? Can I talk a little trash? It’s Thanksgiving, a time where the kitchen trash can will face a challenge for everyone at the place your family convenes. The challenge: “How will I approach this trash can that is already running over with discarded paper plates, plasticware, food not touched because it did not taste like it looked, and other garbage I have to get rid of?” There are the regular options that you use at your house during non-holidays when the kitchen trash can is obviously full. Option #1: Push the trash down to make more room; over and over again. Option #2: Turn around and leave your items that are to be discarded on the table for someone else to handle. Option #3: Act as if you are playing Jenga, “a game of physical skill created by British board game designer and author Leslie Scott and currently marketed by Hasbro. Players take turns removing one block at a time from a tower constructed of 54 blocks. Each block removed is then placed on top of the tower, creating a progressively more unstable structure.”. Your goal, as it relates to the kitchen trash can is to see how high you can stack the trash without it falling on the floor. If you can keep it from falling, you can exit the kitchen, escape a little extra work, and evade the possibility of being the last culprit to keep from emptying the kitchen trash can at all costs. There is one more option. Option #4: Be kind and considerate, take the trash out and insert another one of those green or white plastic bags, giving great relief to the trash can itself and eliminating the need for someone to shout with an attitude, “Am I the only one who sees that the trash needs to be taken out?”
In a practical sense I have been trash talking; no pun intended. In a general sense I am talking about making sure that you are kind and considerate of others, not just on this holiday, but at all times. We are Christians, and as they say, “This is what we do!” Go enjoy your day! Give thanks unto the Lord on this Thanksgiving Day! Don’t hide the fact that you know your thanks should find its way to the throne of God Almighty. Be kind and considerate beyond the kitchen trash can challenge! Be blessed!
“Remind your people to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey them, and to be ready to do good in every way. Tell them not to speak evil of anyone, but to be peaceful and friendly, and always to show a gentle attitude toward everyone.” (Titus 3:1-2 Good News Translation)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King