The Yuck

Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven"1 (Lyrics)

Philippians 4:13 – I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

Every day, I have a job to do that I really don't enjoy. Every day, the horse corral needs cleaning. Every day—winter, spring, summer, and fall—there are always piles and piles of horse yuck to be shovelled up and shovelled out. Yuck, yuck, yuck. And some days, as I begin the job and survey the piles, I am simply overwhelmed by the sheer number of them. On one such day, as I heaved a sigh and was considering the idea of simply turning around and heading back to the house, it occurred to me how aspects of life are a lot like this job of corral cleaning.

Day by day, yuck enters our lives; it cannot help but do so. Why? Because we live in a fallen world. Thus, we are always going to have problems and troubles of one sort or another, be they overwhelmingly large or irritatingly small. After all, Jesus said:

Matthew 6:34 – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

Yes, each day does have enough trouble or yuck of its own. None of us, I'm sure, has any doubt concerning this truth. The bigger issue, however, is dealing in victory with it, day in and day out. How do we not let it get the best of us and rob us of our joy or overwhelm us with its sheer regularity?

I believe that the answer is really quite simple: one pile at a time, one prayer at a time, one moment at a time. For as today's Scripture reminds us, we can do everything through Him who gives us strength, which includes dealing with the yuck of the mundane, day in and day out.

So today, as you see those piles of yuck before you, remember: one pile at a time, one prayer at a time, one moment at a time in His strength will allow you to deal victoriously with each situation as it arises, and in the end, to leave the corral of your life clean and tidy behind you.

Prayer: Father God, thank You that You have provided a way for us in Christ Jesus to deal victoriously and even joyously with the daily yuck of the mundane, one pile at a time, one prayer at a time, one moment at a time, in His strength. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Good food for thought, Lynne.


    Always know your homily will contain words that are a joy. Glad to know others have Yuck to deal with. Blessings.


    Good morning Lynne, Thank you for your devotional today. Reminding us to deal with life’s trials, joys and mundane one day at a time through Jesus Christ our Lord.


    I gather you have a very busy life, however, have you ever considered compiling your devotionals into a book. I am sure it would interest many.


    Again, outstanding. I will be using this one too.
    Keep writing these universal truths for all of us.
    Blessings.


    Amen – another good lesson Lynne! One day at a time is the solution to less anxiety and better health if only we can put it into practice.
    Blessings.


    Good comparison.
    Been there, done that, so I can relate totally.
    Have an awesome day, Lynne.
    Blessings.


    Hi Lynne,
    Yes I know what you mean by the ‘yuck’ in our lives.
    Your devotion for today was great.
    One yuck, one pile at a time really helped me see through some very hard moments for me lately.
    Thank you.


    Dear Lynne: I’ve said before, your devotionals impress me because they are so timely. My wife passed away a few years ago so I am on my own. The household chores just beat me into the ground, but I pray for help. Yesterday and today I finished three that had been bothering me. But you know as I do, that God gives us the opportunity, in His time.
    Blessings.


    Ha ha! This gave me a good laugh, and it is funny. I can always tell when it’s you writing, just from the first paragraph or so! Having shoveled loads of horse poo in my time, I can commiserate, but good point about the ‘one pile at a time’ and I shall share this with a friend, who needs encouragement at this time. She seeks to keep her life on a new track, with the Lord.
    Thanks, Lynne.
    (BC)


    Dear Lynne,
    What I have a hard time dealing with is the piles of paper that I must go through to make sure there is nothing worth-while that I’m missing or throwing out and really need to keep.
    Then today you taught me to pray about it. Thanks.
    I grew up on a farm so I imagine I would like to have some of your horse manure to fertilize my hamlet garden; then it wouldn’t be waste either. It would be cultivated in to make my melons and vegetables flourish. I hope it is being used!
    May God bless you in everything Lynne.


    Hello Lynne,
    I’ve never lived on a farm and don’t have personal experience cleaning out barns but both my parents grew up on farms in Saskatchewan and aside from plowing the fields they had cows and horses in the barn to take care of and they would tell me similar stories of constantly cleaning out the barn, etc. (The children back then really knew the meaning of the word work!)
    But what I do unfortunately know is the piles of yuck in my own life and now dealing with the outcome of it. I’m so thankful for the Lord’s grace and mercy and His Word that I can study, and for being a part of His forever family where one day all tears will be wiped away. What an amazing thought!
    Thank you for your devotional today.

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