Forgive Us Our Trashbaskets

A few years ago, I received an email from a friend which contained a list of funny statements made by little ones. Don’t you just love the funny things they say!

I was especially tickled by one of the statements and remind myself of it often. It read, “And forgive us our trash-baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”

Isn’t that great?! What a perfect visual image!

It is often much harder to forgive the trash that is tossed into my life than it is to deal with the trash I make myself. You know what I’m talking about, a little:

  • Unkind Word
  • Bit of gossip
  • Lie
  • Snub
  • Mess
  • ___________

Somehow it’s easier to overlook my own trash, and to think that mine doesn’t stink quite as bad as the other guy’s garbage. Whew, am I wrong!

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Luke 6:41-42 (NIV)

We’ve all got trash! I know I put it in my own basket, and please forgive me if I ever put some in yours. The good news is that because of His great love for us our Heavenly Father through the gift of Jesus takes away all of our trash. Not only our trash, but if we let Him – He will remove the trash others toss in as well . . . He even makes our baskets sparkle.

So, the next time someone throws a little trash in your basket it might be easier to forgive them if you think of the Lord emptying your basket of all of its trash, yours and theirs, through the blood of Jesus! By the way, go ahead and forgive yourself too! His loving forgiveness makes your basket shiny and clean!

Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 1Cor.15:57 (NIV)

8 Responses to Forgive Us Our Trashbaskets
  1. Barbie
    May 23, 2011 | 12:39 am

    Deb, I loved this post! It’s so true that I pile up the trash in my own basket, but also, at the same time, look to hard at the trash of others around me. I thank God for His mercies towards me and I must continually be reminded to extend them to others. Christ paid the price for my junk and I must be wiling to overlook the junkyard next door!

    • Deb
      May 25, 2011 | 11:24 pm

      Oh Barbie, It is so much easier to focus on everyone else’s garbage. It makes ours seem les offensive. I’m praying that the Lord will continue to tender my heart toward the people in my life knowing that we all struggle with some kind of junk!!

  2. Kimberly
    May 24, 2011 | 5:10 am

    I love, love, love this, Deb! Oh, my! What a great image. I can get all worked up in a bunch about the trash others put in my basket, and yet forget how stinky the trash is I am putting in theirs! My trash stinks just as much. Great post. 🙂

    • Deb
      May 25, 2011 | 11:25 pm

      Thanks Kimberly, trash stinks no matter whose it is! I need a constant reminder myself!!

  3. 5 Minutes For Mom
    May 28, 2011 | 7:01 am

    […] made me laugh and then hake my head in agreement. Kids are often wiser than we give them credit for.Forgive Us Our Trashbaskets?A few years ago, I received an email from a friend which contained a list of funny statements made […]

  4. Jen
    May 28, 2011 | 10:32 am

    Love it! And so true! How incredible is His grace! Thankful that by His grace, God removes our trash daily. I know, for me, my garbage would be overflowing if it weren’t for His mercies being new every morning! 🙂

    • Deb
      May 28, 2011 | 11:13 am

      Me too Jen, me too!!

  5. Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)
    May 28, 2011 | 10:45 pm

    I love that sweet little quote… but what a brilliant take on it.

    Thanks!