Stepping Up

                  A friend sent this parable out on Facebook and after the morning I had, I could really relate to its message. But I also know there is more to life than happiness, most of all having joy in the Lord. Then as the parable notes, it's about us stepping up, but even this isn't always possible in the flesh. We may be down so deep, in the well of despair, that we can't lift our heads, let alone our legs. At that point, we must lift our voices unto the Lord, where our real help comes from. I've added scriptures below to remind us who know the One True God who really provides the shovels in life for us to dig out of the dirt of the world:  
            One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
            He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

            A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down into the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL:

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! So shake off life’s trials, troubles, and tribulations and take another step up.

Remember theses five simple rules to a happier life:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

(Psalm 130:4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.)

2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen anyway.

(Matthew 6:27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?)

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

(Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.)

4. Give more.

(Matthew 6:2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.)

5. Expect less from people, but more from yourself.

(Matthew 7:3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”)