“And you can now get ‘Mature Manure,’ the radio announcer said, “and you’ll have the greenest grass ever.”
Mature manure? Who ever heard of that? But as odd as its name, so was its effect.
It turns out that when you put this product on your grass, it protects it and produces a pretty nice-looking lawn.
Life Can Be Stinky
But don’t think for a minute that this kind of manure is limited to grass. That same material comes in by way of disappointment, sadness, self-pity, heartache, setbacks and even tragedy.
All are part of the manure of life. It stinks. It’s ugly. It’s unpleasant. And when spread about, the view isn’t pretty.
I know that firsthand, trust me. When blindness set in when I was 31, my world stank. And I sank in the pit of smelly self-pity and discouragement. Hopelessness tried to cover me up.
Until one day, God poured grace, mercy and compassion upon my world. That’s when I knew that the mature manure of heartache produces a nice lawn of faith and strength.
Three Truths
Rather than sink in, I hung on to the rope that held three truths:
- In His ways, He will turn to me.
- In His timing, He will hear my cry.
- In His power, He will lift me up.
Instead of sorrow or grief, my soul sang: “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me, and heard my cry. He also brought e up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God …” (Ps. 40:1-3).
Let’s Pray
Father, I do have the song of joy, the outlook of hope and the eagerness to grow closer to you. In the lawn of life, I will not reject the pain or setbacks, but will know that you will use them to make my life better and richer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
- What needs to be renewed in your life?
- How often do you need to turn to God for help?
- What do you need to stand on the solid rock of His Word? {eoa}
Janet Perez Eckles is an international speaker and the author of four books. She has helped thousands conquer fear and bring back joy.
This article originally appeared at janetperezeckles.com.
