Tomorrow is trash day.
Tonight I’ll empty the kitchen plastic and office paper into the recycling bin. I’ll move through the house and empty the remaining garbage cans into the regular trash bin. Early tomorrow, I’ll roll the bins to the street curb. I don’t want to imagine what my house would look—and smell—like if I didn’t empty my garbage on a weekly basis.
Being diligent with my household junk is a reminder to be as attentive to my emotional trash.
I recently visited with a friend what hadn’t paid attention to what was piling up for her emotionally. “I feel so worthless,” she said.
“What are you doing about that?” I said.
“I read the Bible almost every night, seeing what it says about my identity in Christ.”
“Are you journaling?” I asked knowing that is something that worked for her in the past.
“No, right now I’m going to physical therapy for my back. I had to add an hour of stretching and exercising to my morning routine. Plus, I have a big project with a deadline.”
I also knew she’s going through a tough emotional spot with her husband who struggles with his own health issues.
“Journaling has always helped you before,” I said. “Even if it’s not at your usual time, is there some other time during the day you can do that?”
She paused. “Yes. I haven’t been sleeping well. I can journal when I wake up and can’t go back to sleep.”
A few weeks later, we spoke over the phone.
“How are you doing? Are you able to do any journaling?”
“I don’t journal every day, but I’m doing much better,” she said. “It’s helping me put—and keep—my focus on God, and being more patient with my husband, too.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “I don’t feel worthless anymore. Thanks for reminding me what works for me. God’s shown me—again—that I’m precious in His sight.”
Like my friend, there’ll be times when life happens and you can’t take out your emotional trash regularly. You can, however, be alert for the emotional pain prompting you it’s now time to deal with it. Just remember, any day can be trash day.
