Tweet
Glory Seed Devotionals, 2016: Year of the Blessing…
Stepping up and shaking it off…
Shalom!
Yesterday at church my wife Patti used the following parable. She’s wasn’t sure who the author was so I Googled it and most links listed the author as Unknown. However, on one link I did find the name but it read “submitted by” Joseph Sica so I not sure if he was the author or not. While neither of us are sure who the author is we are sure that it applies to anyone who reads it. (note: I spruced it up a bit.)
Shake it Off and Step Up
One fateful day a mule fell into the farmer’s well. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially, the old mule feeling like an outcast became hysterical and began thinking no one wanted him! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, he heard a small voice saying to him, “You are loved and welcome little mule come to me?” The voice continued, “If every time a shovel load of dirt lands on your back... SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!” The mule followed the voices instructions and each time the dirt hit his back he’d say to himself, “Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!” He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought “panic” and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! And trotted off to find the welcoming voice he’d heard in the well leaving the farmer and his friends scratching their heads.
What seemed like it would bury him, actually helped him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. THAT’S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE VERY REAL POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT US!
“We must not get tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 ERV) Remember “shaking it off and stepping up” is a good thing.
Happy shaking it off and stepping up day!
“God, show mercy to us and bless us. Please accept us! Selah “
GRACE and PEACE,
Gary
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Note: Should you want to go back and review this Glory Seed or if you would like to subscribe so you can receive them in your email you can do so by clicking on this link: www.gloryseeddevotionals.org/.
If you would like inspirational music playing as you read this Glory Seed may I suggest clicking on this link: http://www.abidingradio.org/listen/
Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION (c) 2008 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission. (Download your own free copy at www.wbtc.org.)
**Psalm 67:1, ERV