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.
Such good insights! It’s so difficult when real-life experiences collide with our spiritual lives, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading, Nancy!
LOVE your analogy. I’ll never look at a smelly truck, or my own heart, in the same way again.
Join me for a car wash? 🙂
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. 🙂
Will I ever learn…now that is a question I ask myself often, Beth! Thanks for reading!
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!
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
Thanks for stopping by from Playdates, Mia!
We all need regular tuneups (or car washes). Thanks for the reminder!
Oh, you are totally off the hook for a good three months at least, Erica. How is that beautiful new baby?
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!
Thank you, Alicia! Blessings to you and your family this week!
Thanks for such a vivid reminder that others see what’s in our exhaust! May they only see God’s spirit shining through.
Amen, Nancy!
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.
As always, great food for thought. xo