Tis The Season for Mud

In Alaska this is the time we call "break-up".  That is when all the snow packed streets begin to break-up, parking lots become a mixture of rocks, mud and slush, and no matter what you do - you have to take your shoes off at the door to avoid tracking all that stuff into your home.  We wear grippers on our shoes and boots to keep from falling on the icy places.

At our house this is the season when taking the dog for a walk gets very messy.  No matter how we try to avoid the running water, ice, slush, mud, and rocks - the dogs undercarriage is covered with dirt by the time we get home.  It almost gives one the motivation to not walk the dog.  However, the good of the walk triumphs over the messiness and hassle of life this time of year.

As I was wiping down the dog today after a walk, I began to think how this dilemma is a lot like life.  As a child I thought that if you lived a good life and did good things - nothing bad would ever happen.   Then I grew up and realized that life is filled with all kinds of mud, slush, and rocks even in the midst of the good parts.  As a Christian we come to understand that these are the things that will make us stronger in our faith.  We come to understand that there really isn't much of life that is all good or all bad - it seems to come as a mixture.

When things happen like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan we can begin to see the world as out of control or we can also see all the good that is being offered in the midst of and in spite of the destruction.   There are people and situations that can come with a difficult side and that is usually tempered with the presence of God if we open our hearts.

I am working hard to practice looking through the lens that finds God's presence and blessing everywhere.  I pray the same for you.