When Life Gives You Ruts
Have you ever had to drive in mud? I used to get very tense when I had to go through mud because I didn’t want to get stuck. It’s such a pain to be stuck in the mud. I once had a truck that would get stuck in the slightest damp ground, and there was a time that I actually stuck my son’s gigantic four wheel drive F350! I know, sounds impossible but I achieved that feat. I remember him laughing as he coached me along and helped me drive it out.
Lately I’ve grown more accomplished at driving in the mud. I’ve had hours of practice as I’ve changed my feeding routine to include utilizing the new electric gate and my trusty Gator. We’ve been blessed with plentiful rain and I refuse to slop through it like I used to, thus enhancing my “muddin’” skills. I’ve tried not to enjoy the slipping and sliding because I know my husband probably cringes at the pasture that I’ve been decorating, but I have to admit, it’s kinda fun!
This morning I tried to divert my path in hopes of smoothing out some of the tracks I’m putting in the path I take to the barn, but the tires just ended up falling back into the muddy ruts. It reminded me of the old timey cars at Six Flags. No matter how hard we’d try to turn the opposite way, the track would jerk us back to where it wanted us to go.
Routines are like that too.
Thankfully, routines can be changed and even broken if we set our minds to it. In present time I’m experiencing much change in my life. It’s a little daunting, but also exciting at the same time. I have so many things I want to do and it seems that there isn’t enough time to do them all. Lists and timers fill my hours in hopes of keeping me on track. Excitement floods my mind every morning, but by 3:00 I’m pooped. Unfortunately that’s when I really need to kick it into gear to finish out the day!
The world is shaking in it’s boots as I write this and I fight to keep the importance of these times in check. Sitting on my back porch, all is well. Except for the chickens trying to figure out where to poop, eh, I mean roost, and my “Bummer” lamb hollerin’ all the time, everything is peachy. The grass is so thick and green the cows and horses don’t even want to come in for feed. The pond is full and the trees are all budding out. Birds are singing and frogs are serenading the evenings. My BFF enlightens me to the goings on outside my bubble and I’m perplexed, but it also makes perfect sense at the same time.
Sometimes we need to be forced to drive out of those ruts. Letting the Gator drive itself works some days, but other days I’ve got to give it a little gas and turn the wheels back and forth. I may even have to back up and start again. There’s even days I catch myself getting a little anxious that I could get stuck out in the pasture somewhere and end up having to get out and walk through the mud. But I go anyway.
What if it’s time for the world to get out and walk in the mud? Think about a different path or decide to give life a little umph to get out of the rut?
Routines can be ruts. They can keep us from seeing the needs of others and the newness of life around us. My shopping routine was changed and I’m so grateful! I’ve been able to see a different side of the workers that serve me and enjoy the blessing of having more hours in my shopping day. Plus, I have a cabinet full of toilet paper and didn’t have to go out in a panic to find some or take any from the elderly!
It’s a beautiful world we have to enjoy. Life can be beautiful too. It’s all in what you make of it. Whether you’re trudging through the mud, driving in old ruts or sliding through the mud having the time of your life! It’s short, and it’s a gift. Live it to the fullest.
Israel went through worse.
Isaiah 41: …(10) “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” …(13) “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
He did it for them, He’ll do it for us. Promise.
