Mud and Mire

    My husband decided to try his hand at cleaning the filters on the pool pump. He couldn't recall how the technician had told him to do it, so he just started pushing, pulling, and hammering parts of the pump (with a rubber mallet). I suggested using the directions, even looking at a video on how to clean the pump, but he was going to get it done. I then offered alternatives to his processes, soon I went back into the house and he ventured out to the driveway to begin spraying down the filters.
     I watched a video online about the best ways to clean the filters and the woman was dressed in white and had her nails done! I went back out to report what I had learned and saw my husband soaking wet with mud splattered all over him, but the filters were coming clean. It reminded me of my morning scripture reading, "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand," (Psalm 40:1-3). I thought about my ability to have patience. I admired my husband's willingness to persevere and be patient even with such a wet and dirty job.
     Then the thought occurred to me, "You don't have patience because you don't practice patience. You only learn patience by working at it." I often cry out to the Lord, but I don't wait for His reply. I often head off to solve the problem myself by doing more research or looking to the world for answers. I need to be more like my husband, willing to get dirty and see what the Lord will do rather than lose my patience and give up before the task is even started.
     Yes, life is muddy. I can get mired down when things don't go the way I think they should. Thinking about doing things will certainly keep my clothes clean and my nails nice, but I'll never work through the troubles so I can appreciate the solid foundation the Lord has in mind for me to stand on if I don't actually do the dirty work.

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Hymn #370
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: 1 Timothy 1:1
Author: Edward Mote, c. 1834, cento
Composer: John Stainer, 1873, arr.
Tune: "Magdalen"