Becky Kopitzke

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My Life as a Smelly Truck

April 1, 2013

It chugged. It sputtered. It blew puffs of black exhaust from a rusty muffler. The cargo truck in front of me wore a film of dirt and highway salt so thick, I could only assume its original paint job was supposed to be white. I followed in our minivan, giggling. Because across its bumper, the truck’s company slogan boasted: “Clean Energy Experts.”

“Ha! They could’ve picked a better vehicle for advertising that claim.”

“What, Mommy?” My three-year-old piped up in the back seat.

“Oh, nothing, sweetheart. I’m just laughing about the silly truck in front of us. It’s stinking up the whole road!”

“Yucky! Pee-yoo-skee!” She scrunched her nose and pinched it with two fingers. I let out an amused cackle.

But then my smile drooped, and I clamped my lips shut. Clean energy experts, eh? Maybe it’s not so funny. Because sometimes I am like that truck.

I boast a few slogans, too.

“Clean Life Expert!”

“Jesus Follower!”

“Christian Wife and Mom!”

What kind of representative am I for God, really?

When I snap at my kids.

When I nag my husband.

When I grumble and worry, or make selfish choices.

On those days when I huff and puff through the house, spewing hurtful exhaust from my mouth until it chokes everybody in my path. Would the people around me say—now there goes a grateful soul. We want what she has!

Darn. Maybe it’s time for a tune-up.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me,” (Psalm 51:10, NLT).

I want to be the kind of person who lives according to what she believes. Don’t you? Of course, nobody is perfect. We all have our struggles and bad days. But the question is—what are we going to do with them? That truck made me think about how easy it can be to let the filth pile up until nobody recognizes what’s inside. We all need regular maintenance checks—to ask ourselves, am I trusting God, serving my family humbly, counting my blessings and speaking truth in love? Or am I polluting my witness with stinky behavior?

“Mommy, is that truck gone now?” My daughter kicked her feet against her car seat as our minivan veered off the exit ramp.

“Yes! It sure was smelly, wasn’t it?”

“Are we almost home, Mom?”

“We are. But first, we’re going to make a quick stop somewhere.”

“Where, Momma? Where are we going?”

“To the car wash, my love. I’m itching for a good scrub.”

If this post encouraged you, please pass it on. You might also like When Left to Their Own Devices, Put a Little Love in Your Voice, and I Know Why Dinosaurs Are Extinct.

* * * * * * * *

Linking up with: The Better Mom, Playdates With God, The Mom Initiative, Give Me the Goods Monday, Titus 2sdays, Grace at Home, Wedded Wednesday, What He’s Done Wednesday and Things I Can’t Say.

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Filed Under: Growing Pains, Integrity, Marriage, Mom Mess-ups, Parenting, Taming the Tongue

Comments

  1. Nancy@ThereIsGrace says

    April 1, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    Such good insights! It’s so difficult when real-life experiences collide with our spiritual lives, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing.

    • Becky says

      April 2, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      Thank you for reading, Nancy!

  2. Laura S. says

    April 1, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    LOVE your analogy. I’ll never look at a smelly truck, or my own heart, in the same way again.

    • Becky says

      April 2, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      Join me for a car wash? 🙂

  3. Beth says

    April 1, 2013 at 2:43 pm

    Don’t ya just love it when God gives a nudge from the very thing we have a self-righteous view about? I’ve been there and continue to do that! When will I ever learn? Ugh! But I do appreciate your challenge here, Becky. It’s always a nudge that’s wrapped in gentleness and laughter. Thanks for brightening my day and reminding me of the need for a clean heart. 🙂

    • Becky says

      April 2, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      Will I ever learn…now that is a question I ask myself often, Beth! Thanks for reading!

    • Beth says

      April 3, 2013 at 9:17 pm

      I’m just glad that you’re willing to learn these valuable lessons before all of us, so we can learn them too! Thanks for being God’s vessel, Becky!

  4. Mia De Vries says

    April 1, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    Hi Becky
    We are all in need of a scrub quite often, don’t we!! I am so grateful for the righteous robe of our Lord Jesus. Over via Playdates. Have a blessed week.
    Much love
    Mia

    • Becky says

      April 2, 2013 at 3:20 pm

      Thanks for stopping by from Playdates, Mia!

  5. Erica {let why lead} says

    April 1, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    We all need regular tuneups (or car washes). Thanks for the reminder!

    • Becky says

      April 2, 2013 at 3:21 pm

      Oh, you are totally off the hook for a good three months at least, Erica. How is that beautiful new baby?

  6. Alicia says

    April 1, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    I may never look at a carwash the same 🙂 As always, you’re my favorite way to begin a Monday! And by the way, all I “smell” here is pure sweet devotion from a mom whose heart is filled with Jesus!

    • Becky says

      April 2, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      Thank you, Alicia! Blessings to you and your family this week!

  7. Nancy Sturm says

    April 1, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Thanks for such a vivid reminder that others see what’s in our exhaust! May they only see God’s spirit shining through.

    • Becky says

      April 2, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      Amen, Nancy!

  8. Laura Boggess says

    April 3, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    Love your stories, Becky. It is true–whenever I see a car with a fish on it cutting someone off, speeding, or doing some other undesireable, it makes me swallow hard and straighten up. Good thoughts.

  9. Shell says

    April 3, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    As always, great food for thought. xo

Trackbacks

  1. Because Kids Believe Whatever They Hear says:
    October 31, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    […] you, it would bless me if you’d share it. You might also like The Foolproof Cure for Hollering, My Life as a Smelly Truck, and Can Somebody Strap a Muzzle on Me, Please? […]

  2. Can Somebody Strap a Muzzle on Me, Please says:
    October 31, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    […] this post encouraged you, please share it. You might also like Put a Little Love in Your Voice, My Life as a Smelly Truck, and I Know Why Dinosaurs Are […]

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Meet Becky.

If you love your kids but you sometimes forget to feed them lunch, if you're crazy about your husband but some days you want to set his hunting gear on fire, and if you adore Jesus with your whole heart yet you mess up time and time again, then you and I are friends already.

We need each other. I'm so glad you're here.

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