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SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!
A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the
farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule braying -- or whatever mules do
when they fall into wells. 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.
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Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors
continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It
suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his
back . . . he should SHAKE IT OFF and STEP UP!
This he did, blow after blow. |
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"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 distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and
just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF and STEPPING UP.
It was not long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped
triumphantly over the wall of that well. What seemed like it would bury him,
had actually blessed him, all because of the manner in which he handled his
adversity.
That's life! If we face our problems, 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 potential to benefit and bless
us!
As you go through your week, remember that forgiveness, faith, prayer,
praise and hope are all excellent ways to SHAKE IT OFF and STEP UP, out of
the wells in which we find ourselves!
I thought this story has meaning to so much in our lives, including our Celebrating Home business. Whether it be a party that cancelled, a show with
lower sales than you hoped for, or a possible recruit that said "not right
now" just SHAKE IT OFF and keep STEPPING UP!
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