THAT'S LIFE

        A parable is told of a farmer who owner an old mule. One day, this mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule "braying" - or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sumpathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old bule 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 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 SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow. "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 painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought "panic", and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING IT UP!
    
        You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him... all because of the matter in which he handled his adversity.
THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity... THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US!
Remember, that Forgiveness, Faith, Prayer, and Hope are all excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves!

The Concert

         
   When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, a mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive steinway on the stage. To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, who began to innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano and whispered in the boys ear, 'Don't quit... keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paterewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in the base part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Perhaps that's the way it is with God.

              What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the master, our life's work can truely be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the master whispering in your ear, "Don't quit.... keep playing."
               You may feel his arms around you and know that his hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

              Remember, God doesn't call the equipped; rather, he equips the called.