I am sure that most people have heard the story about the donkey who was stuck in a well and how he overcame his dilemma in a most interesting way. Whether it is true or not, this story has such a powerful message.
One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well.
The animal cried for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey didn’t realize what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down into the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.
He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take another step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off..!!!
If we want to be a success at living a happy life, we are going to have to learn what valuable lessons the donkey can teach us. His message is pretty obvious…life is hard and people are not always going to lift us up or see our value and worth. As a matter of fact, they will throw a little dirt on us occasionally – maybe often!
Let me tell you today that you ARE valuable! You are so valuable that God gave His only Son to die in order to save you.
(AMP) Romans 8:32 He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?
One thing that I thought was interesting about this story was the very last line where it says that the donkey happily trotted off. He didn’t walk away from his ordeal sad and feeling downtrodden because the farmer and his neighbors had the nerve to try and do away with him. No, when he shook off the dirt, he also shook off the offense. He might have come out of that well alive, but broken (in his spirit) because of what he had gone through at the hands of others.
Let me encourage you today, to shake off the offenses the world lays at your feet. We cannot help or change what people do. It does absolutely no good to try and reason it out saying, “Why did this happen to me?” We may never know the answer to that question. Trying to figure that out only results in you standing still, letting life pass you by, and allowing more dirt to pile on top of you. Let it go, shake it off, it doesn’t really matter why – the important thing is not to get mired down in self-pity. Don’t let one bad experience (or even a lifetime of them) dictate your worth. God has a great life planned for you! Get up, shake off the world’s dirt, and say, “Here I am Lord, I’ll take it!”
This reminds me of a song by Dolly Parton, “Better get to Livin”! I love this song, it has a great message. You gotta love Dolly!
(I shared a Youtube link after the lyrics so you can listen to it too. ENJOY)
Better Get to Livin’
A girlfriend came to my house
Started cryin’ on my shoulder Sunday evening
She was spinnin’ such a sad tale
I could not believe the yarn that she was weavin’
So negative the words she had to say
I said if I had a violin I’d play.
I said you’d better get to livin’, givin’
Be willing and forgivin’
Cause all healing has to start with you
You better stop whining, pining
Get your dreams in line
And then just shine, design, refine
Until they come true
And you better get to livin’.
Your life’s a wreck, your house is mess
And your wardrobe way outdated
All your plans just keep on falling through
Overweight and underpaid, under appreciated
I’m no guru, but I’ll tell you
This I know is true.
You better get to livin’, givin’
A little more thought about bein’
A little more willin’ to make a better way
Don’t sweat the small stuff
Keep your chin up
Just hang tough
And if it gets too rough
Fall on your knees and pray
And do that every day
Then you’ll get to livin’.
The day we’re born we start to die
Don’t waste one minute of this life
Get to livin’
Share your dreams and share your laughter
Make some points for the great hereafter.
Better start carin’
Better start sharin’
Better start tryin’
Better start smiling
And you better get to livin’…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKeulwZ3sGE
God bless you!
