Waste Management

It’s the season to purge, organize, prioritize—also known as waste management of time, resources and relationships.  Resolutions?  Nah---I procrastinate too much to get around to those.  But there’s something about a clean slate—a new calendar, a new year and a fresh start that gives one hope. 

Purging requires one to throw out stuff--a painful task when one is a keeper--a source of stretch marks, if you will.  However, there are exceptions.

I opened my refrigerator door one recent Monday morning only to be reminded that I really am learning disabled.  Wouldn’t you think that a
Golden Buckeye Card carrier should have learned by now that everything under the sun has an expiration date?  It’s not that I don’t know, but my procrastination makes allowances for crud to grow in my life.

Crud—also known as mold, mildew and toxins contaminate food and people.  Why would an intelligent person allow such things?  Too busy?  Too lazy?  In denial?  I pondered this malady as I cleaned and detoxified the refrigerator. 

Wait a minute.  Waste not, want not, right?  I could just scrape off the mold and use what is left in the jar.  What’s the worst that could happen?  What if I just poured fresh milk into the clabbered milk?  Maybe that principle in Luke 5:37 applies: And no one puts new wine into old wineskins.  For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins.  The glass won’t burst but…oh, never mind. 

I muttered, "Dear Lord, what if I died and someone discovered this disgusting mess?"  What would they think?  That poor widow…she just gave up on life.  Maybe she didn't know that cleanliness is next to Godliness.  Maybe just one resolution...

I thought of relationships I have had in the past that grew toxic.  How did I let that happen?  Simply put--I ignored some of the basics of a healthy relationship.  There are needy folks that pretty much suck the life out of you.  Others are dumpsters looking for a convenient and safe environment to dump their garbage.  Only problem is, they ignore the NO DUMPING sign.  The inner voice yells, "Clean up needed in Land of Denial!"

Food and medicines have expiration dates that should not be ignored. Rancorous relationships should have expiration dates as well. King Solomon's Waste Management 101 is found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.  Verses 1 & 6 relate to this subject: There is a right time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth… A right time to search and another to count your losses; a right time to hold on and another to let go.  (The Message)  

The beginning of this New Year is a great time to examine ourselves for toxicity and purge where needed. There is something quite appealing about clean vessels ready to be filled with good things and healthy relationships!

Comments

[Rachel Ilene]

Dear Gail,

Thank you for being a faithful reader! Your comments are always appreciated.

[Gail]

Loved this blog! The humor is great and the message is oh-so-clear! Good photos, too--thanks!

Gail