Subject: Fwd[2]:GREAT STORY:SHAKE & STEP


This is a great story so I hope you'll take the time to read it when you
can.
However, I disagree with the coupling it with our faith in Jesus.  My
friends it
begins with our faith in Jesus.

>
>This is a great story and when we couple it with our faith in Jesus Christ
>and His ability to help us endure successfully, it is even greater!!
>
>>
>> > > > This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old
>> > mule.
>> > > >
>> > > > The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer
>> > heard the mule
>> > 'praying'
>> > > > -or- whatever mules do when they fall into wells.
>> > > >
>> > > > After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer
>> > sympathized with the
>> > > > mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well
>> > was worth the
>> > trouble
>> > > of
>> > > > saving....so instead, he called his neighbors
>> > together, told them what
>> > had
>> > > > happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to
>> > bury the old mule 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 WOULD 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 how distressing
>> > the situation seemed
>> > > the
>> > > > old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on
>> > SHAKING IT OFF AND
>> > STEPPING
>> > > > UP!
>> > > >
>> > > > 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 helped
>> > him...all because of
>> > > the
>> > > > manner in which he handle 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
>> > > VERY
>> > > > REAL POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT US!
>> > > >
>> > > > Never be afraid to try something new.
>> > > >
>> > > > Remember that 'amateurs built the Ark, professionals
>> > built the Titanic'.
>> > > >
>> > >
>