*Shake* It Off & 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 uinto 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 saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened. Then he 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 was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and as 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 could shake it off and step up! This he did, load after load of dirt. "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 frequently the dirt came, or how distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought not to panic and just kept tight on shaking it off and stepping up! It wasn't long before the old mule, tired but triumphant, stepped over the wall of that well!
What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him...all becaue of the manner in which he handles his "pit" or adversity. That's the secret--no matter how deep or dark the pit, don't get into self-pity, panic or bitterness. Instead, shake off the dirt (the lies of the devil) by staying in faith, confessing the word, seeing the finished work and resting in it. And step up by doing what the Holy Spirit shows you and leads you to do. Then, the adversities that come along to bury us will end up benefiting and blessing us instead!

Author Unknown

I love this story the first time I heard it being read to me =) I envisioned this cute little donkey shaking off the dirt each time it is being thrown at him and as he shakes it off, he continually step up till he step out into victory. A good reminder to me that regardless of how impossible the situation may be, to always shake off the bad thoughts and step up each time. Do not dwell on it and let it bury you. Keep your hopes high high! Without hope, there is no faith. And without faith, you can't please God and see His miracle revealed in your life. Keep hope alive in your heart. Never give up on the visions and dreams God has put in your heart. For in it, the power of God and His grace is revealed. Be like the donkey in the story...step out into victory! God's grace IS truly with us! =D