Junk in my "In box"

It has become a regular morning routine. I stumble into the kitchen, grab a cup of coffee, and settle down in front of my computer to check my in-box. Lately however, I've developed a new segment to the routine - emptying out the junk mail that has found its way to me first.

I'm sure you know what I mean. At first, it was a few simple emails from a online publication. I'd glance at the subject line and if it didn't interest me, I'd hit the delete button. Then the emails became more numerous - and annoying. I started getting offers from AARP - a wonderful organization I am sure, but one that I am NOT ready to admit I qualify for! Then I got offers for the little car that "hovers" and makes getting around easier....not one I am ready for since I still fancy myself a runner, albeit a slow one. Next came one for a recall on hip replacements - just how old do these people think I am???? The straw that broke the camels back was the one for a low cost funeral package. Come on people!!! I'm not ready to exit earth just yet!

I laugh at the "offers" I get like these...but that's not where it stops. There are the "letters" from a prince in some far off country who wants to share his fortune with me, money I've been left by some long lost relative that never existed, prizes I may have already won, and of course warnings that my "accounts" may need updating with a new password. Most of us know these for what they are - traps to try and steal my wealth. (Bhahahahaha - sorry, the thought of me being wealthy always cracks me up...but I guess by most of the world's standards I truly am.)

Some of the emails go directly to my junk folder which then has to be "cleaned out" to make sure I'm not missing a message I really WANTED to get. In there are a multitude of "offers", some for meds I've never heard of and some that I blush at when I see the subject line! Those are quickly deleted! I wonder how in the world I got on those mailing lists. It's reached the point now that I hit the "select all" button and then go through and uncheck the few I actually wanted to receive. There are a couple of ministry blogs that I subscribed to that no matter what I do, they always seem to go to my junk folder...I rescue those before hitting that "delete" button.

All this makes me wish I had a visable "junk" folder for my mind. Wouldn't life be easier if we could see the subject line and hit delete to the messages that come at us every day? You know the ones I mean - the ones that lie to us, come to steal our peace, kill our marriages, and destroy our families. It would be great if we could see these messages for what they are...

Just like with my computer, I've got to be careful what I allow to sit in the "in box" of my mind. I really need to take the time to empty out the "junk" folder each day so that the messages don't build up and crowd out the good news that I've been waiting to hear. Once I've emptied out the trash for the day, it makes it so much easier to dump any other unwanted messages as soon as they arrive. Then I can focus on those messages I've been hoping for, the ones filled with good news.

Happy tossing my friends!

John 10:10 (NIV) 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Philippians 4:8  - 9(Message)
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.