JULY 18, 2022
ON THE PORCH
SOMETIMES CRAP IS JUST CRAP
“Sometimes crap is just crap. There is not always a silver lining in every single situation.” — Benny
In the Sunday school lesson yesterday, the author said, “We should thank God for all situations.” This lit a fire under Benny that took all day to burn out.
Sometimes life flat stinks. Benny loves working in our yard. He does a great job and has nurtured a sad and dry, brown front yard into a beautiful green yard full of grass that allows us to sit together each night and play with the dogs. Between me being in Oklahoma and him keeping up with my stuff and working overtime, our yard got a little neglected last week.
I commented (while he was at the fire station working overtime) that I felt like I was travelling through a “poo minefield” every time I walked in the grass. I just hoped not to be bombed. Yesterday when we got home from church, Benny disappeared. I found him in the front yard raking up the piles of poo our dogs so sweetly gifted us.
My comment to Benny was intended to be funny. But to be honest, I feel like after I step over one pile in life to miss the poo, another pile is thrown at me, and I don’t duck in time. This dance of trying not to navigate manure wears me out.
I encounter a lot of individuals. The last few years have been very, very tough for most, including Benny and me. It seems like everywhere which way we turn; people are going through such difficult stuff. And this “stuff” is not little done-at-the-end-of-the-day molehills, but big, life-changing mountains that are intimidating and overwhelming and seem impossible to climb. Life is SO hard sometimes.
God never promised life would be easy. In fact, He warns us in the Bible it will be hard. We will have trials and tribulation. Because we are His does not give us immunity in this broken and fallen world we live in.
**“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
**“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10
What makes us different from the world around us is how we deal with our hurts and sorrows. God is in the middle of the minefield with us. When life blindsides us and we feel like we cannot take another step, God is there, waiting. He smells the crap we step in. He doesn’t turn away and wrinkle His nose. Just like a Mama wiping her kids’ snotty nose with the bottom of her shirt, He gently wipes the crap off our shoe with the hem of His garment and holds out His hand.
I have to say, sometimes I don’t want to allow Him to lead, and life continues to reek…my heart stinks, my attitude stinks, and my soul stinks. Not only can others smell me, but I get rank enough that I start to smell myself. That is when I have the choice of digging my heels in, growling and getting through it, or taking His outstretched hand and allowing Him to take the lead.
We live in a fallen world with satan and demons wanting nothing more than to keep us from our Savior and convince us that we can do it on our own. Tragedy, evil and calamity dot the horizon, no matter which way we look. We are bombarded constantly with bad news, misfortune, and heartbreak. It is next to impossible to get away from the stench.
**Give thanks IN all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Back to the Sunday School lesson that got Benny so riled up. Thanking God FOR every situation and thanking God IN every situation are two totally different things. Benny’s point was that we don’t have to give thanks for all the bad that happens but give thanks in it.
**And we know that IN all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Even in the middle of the minefield of poo, God is behind the scenes working things out to help us, comfort us, and bring us peace. He gives us strength to continue this dance of life and He promises to hold our hand and help us navigate the hurts, the sorrows, and the heartbreaks life throws at us. Most times, He even surprises us with something beautiful and totally unexpected.
This weekend was a real struggle for me. It seemed that as soon as I got one pile of poo wiped off my shoes, I stepped in another. I may be the only one God is speaking to today. If so, that is okay. But if not, and He is speaking to you, please hear my heart. LIFE IS HARD, BUT GOD IS GOOD.
**“So do not fear, I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
**“Peace I leave you with; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
**The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit. Psalm 34:18
LORD, this morning I come to You with a hurting heart. Poo piles I’ve been hit with lately stink and hurt. There are so many that are walking-wounded traveling the same road I am. Help us as we navigate the minefields of life. Thank You for never refusing our hands when we hold them up to You as a little child does their mother. This morning, right here, right now, I ask that You pick us up, wipe us off, and replace that stench with Your love, Your comfort, Your peace, and Your guidance. Use that manure in our lives to fertilize our dry and weary souls. Remind us of who we are in You, LORD, and that we never face life alone. Thank You for the friends to come along beside us and help us stand, even when we stink. Help us remember to be thankful IN all circumstances, knowing that if we have nothing else, just having Your hand to hold should be enough. You continue to love us and give us good, even in the hard. No matter how hard life is, You are good. Amen
LIFE IS HARD BUT GOD IS GOOD
ON THE PORCH 