Shoveling Poop

February 27, 2017

She owns horses. And horses need cleaning up after. So inevitably, shoveling poop happens.

But I can’t forget what she said to me about it. A few weeks ago, with a smile on her face, she told me, “When I’m out in the back pasture all by myself, shoveling a huge pile of horse poop, I sing my heart out to God and talk with Him!” She said she’s all alone out on 34 acres, so it’s the perfect opportunity to praise God and really dialog with Him.

Do I need to point out how beautiful that is? I was immediately struck by a parallel to life. Sometimes we are faced with a giant pile of poop that needs shoveling. It can’t be ignored. No one else is there to do the job. Time to get to it.

What could our hearts be doing during the shoveling? We could be moaning and whining, complaining and feeling sorry for ourselves. Or…?

We could turn our hearts upwards, towards our King, Who knows how difficult life can be and Who wants to lift our spirits in the midst of shoveling poop. What if we could praise Him no matter what life throws at us?

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” –Psalm 34:1

What are you shoveling these days, my friend? Is it health issues? Finances? Job stress? Family tension? Marriage problems? Divorce? Betrayal? Parenting stress? An ailing parent you care for? An uncertain future?

Whatever it is, I challenge you, turn your eyes and your heart upwards! Praise the Lord. View your crappy situation as an opportunity to concentrate on God’s goodness. He is always for you, even when your circumstances loom in front of you like a reeking pile of manure.

“I lift my eyes up to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” –Psalm 121:1-2