Into the mud rolled the big fat truck, and his big important wheels got STUCK! His heavy-duty dump-truck tires were sunk down deep in muck and mire.
MUCK AND MIRE?!!!!!
Without fail, my 4 yo will always, always pause and place extra emphasis on this part of the Little Blue Truck. She thinks it’s hilarious! I typically burst into uproarious laughter with her, but after reading it this last time it hit me in a different way.
Sunk down deep in muck and mire.
Leave it to a children’s book, granted an excellent one, to give me pause as I stopped to reflect upon the current condition of my heart and mind.
To put it plainly, last week was terrible. It seemed to be par for the course given the many challenges and setbacks our family has faced this year, and I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.
I was disappointed, frustrated and angry. I threw my hands up and wanted nothing more than to escape.
I wanted to escape from the anguish and pain of grief.
I wanted to escape from the pressures of finances and job security.
I wanted to escape from the people who let me and my family down, the circumstances I couldn’t change, and the emotions that left me feeling drained.
I found myself in a place I visit more often than I’d care to admit:
That place of knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that everything would be fine, yet still allowing the worry to consume me.
That place of allowing fear and lack of control to become greater than my faith.
Now I will pause here to emphasize the fact that I’m not condemning myself or attempting to make anyone feel as though these feelings aren’t completely normal. But here’s the thing.
I didn’t want to stay in this place.
I had to process and cry and struggle through it with Jesus. I had to let it all out to let HIM in, and it was in doing so that Holy Spirit reminded me to take action.
I had to put my foot down and not allow the situation(s) to steal my joy.
Nope, I wasn’t having it anymore!!!!
Whether the culprit was a rude shopper, a financial burden, kids gone wild, or the fretful thoughts taking place in my own mind, I wasn’t going to let any of it steal my joy!
I wasn’t going to allow Satan to steal my joy!!!
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT
For all the crazy, irritating and heart-wrenching moments of this past week, there’s been some really, really great things happen too!
Call me an optimist, but you’re bound to find a silver lining if you’re looking for one, and even more so with Christ. In our savior, you know that sweet baby Jesus we’ll be celebrating in a few days, there’s always a reason to rejoice!!
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NKJV
So the next time my world feels like it’s crashing down (and there will be a next time, and a time after that, and a time after that…), help me to remember that our Heavenly Father is more present, gracious, faithful and unwavering than all my problems combined.
He’s got this, and even though the struggle is real, so is God!
Maybe I’m not the only one who needed this reminder today. Don’t remain stuck in the muck and mire!
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Better times are ahead and even happening now! I’m sorry you’ve been having a rough go of it lately. I will continue to pray for you.
You are so right Jamie. The better times are happening now and that’s what I have to stay focused on. I’m glad that I am feeling a lot better because God is always good! Thank you for your prayers!
I needed this. I have been so negative with the stress of pleasing others and trying to prepare/keep the house in order and be a mom. But I can find joy in this, I can allow Jesus to help. I need to take a step back and remember what is important and to not allow Satan to steal my joy!
The enemy will do whatever he can to distract us from the real focus, and that is the joy we have in Jesus no matter the circumstances! I say this as I am preaching to myself LOL. But truly I hope that you are encouraged friend. You’re not alone!
Love this!! Needed this! Thank you for sharing your heart friend. Xxx
You are so welcome. The Lord knows!
God bless you friend!!
Patricia
Sounds like my week last week, too! Thanks for the so very important reminder to NOT stay in that place!!
Blessings!
Absolutely!!!
Blessings to you Becki!
Patricia
You are so real and godly at the same time! Bless you as you grow in Him! 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement Garnette!!
God bless you!
Patricia!
Good for you for combating Satan and taking your joy back!
I had to fight! Blessings to you!
Patricia
This is beautiful Patty and how cool God used the Little blue truck! You are such an inspiration to me and others sweet, sweet mama. ❤
xo, Nicole
Thank you for being such an encouragement to me Nicole!!
Blessings,
Patty
That is one of my favorite books that I have read my son.
Thank you for putting things into perspective for me.
Thank you for reading Krysten. Blessings to you!
Patricia
My daughter adores that book and what a wonderful message it has, I pray for you and your family and that worry will not win. I feel ya friend. Much love, M
Thank you for your prayers and heartfelt encouragement Meggie. Have a very merry Christmas!!
Blessings,
Patricia
I love this reminder to choose faith. I, too, have had moments this month where I’ve gotten frustrated as things didn’t work out as we’d planned. My heart breaks for others who are struggling and facing their own problems and I want to do so much more to help them than I am able to. I truly appreciate this reminder to turn to God, and have faith that my efforts to serve others are enough and to remember Psalm 46:10 and D&C 101:16…and to be still.
Absolutely Emily. I’m so thankful that we can always turn to His Word for comfort and answers!
You are just so gorgeous. I hate that your week was crappy, but I love that you are taking authority and pursuing JOY!
Yes! Taking authority! That’s the word I was looking for!!