The Mud Puddle

Explanation of the Mud Puddle
Neal’s Definition—The consequences of living in a fallen world that has many storms that leave behind a residue of muck, dirt and struggle.

You might wonder what the “Mud Puddle” is? The idea came from the fact that we all live in a fallen world that is much like a mud puddle.
Mud Puddles are surrounded by something that is solid and holds in the water which forms the puddle.
Mud Puddles are something that we can sometimes go around but sometimes we have to walk through to get to the other side.
Mud Puddles are something that can be a deterrent or a blessing depending on our perspective.
A Mud Puddle is something that is always more fun to cross with help. They are something that can just get us wet and dirty or something that we can choose to have a great time in and grow abundantly. If you ever watch a child around a mud puddle they can teach us all a lot about how to deal with the puddles in life!
Mud Puddles are something that as followers of Christ give us great opportunities to live out loving our neighbor while building eternal fellowship with others.
Mud puddles are often things that change us as much as the person that we are reaching out too.
Mud puddles give me great opportunities to share the love and compassion with others that Jesus has poured out upon me.
When someone is walking through the Mud Puddles of life I have a choice in how I will respond to their circumstance. Here are some of the ways I have personally experienced people when I am in a Mud Puddle.
A person seeing my Mud Puddle (Trial/Struggle) chooses to ignore it and leave me buried in it.
A person recognizes the Mud Puddle and then say something like “I’ll pray for you” usually while walking away.
A person recognizes the Mud Puddle and then goes on to quote a really good Bible verse and then walk away.
These are some of the ways that I have used and experienced people using to keep distance from others hurts and struggling with life. The problem with these ways of dealing with the Mud Puddle is that they usually leave the person feeling more alone, hurt and stuck deeper in the mud.
Here is the way I have found to help people to become overcomers along with how I have experienced the life found in someone caring enough to help.
A person recognizes the Mud Puddle and then chooses to ask how they can help. They then spend the time to listen and ask questions so they can be helpful. This all results in one of two things happening, I get lifted out of the Mud Puddle or the other person joins me in it until I am able to work through the battle and find victory. The most amazing thing happens in both cases though. I am no longer alone and Jesus shows up in a mighty way to bring victory.
This may be one of the most important lessons a Christian can learn in this life and I believe that again and again the Bible backs this idea up. Jesus commandment to “Love one another” In John 13:34 is really being fulfilled both as I join others in their Mud Puddles and allow them to join me in mine.
Here are some of the verses that I have found helpful in understanding the idea of joining others in the Mud Puddle called life.
Matthew 18:20New Living Translation (NLT)
20” For where two or three gather together as my followers,[a] I am there among them.”

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12New Living Translation (NLT)
The Advantages of Companionship
7” I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. 8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
So here is where we have to make a choice. Do we continue on believing that our lives are spotless and clean or do we go and get dirty like Jesus did to save those around us and allow the blood of Christ to clean us as we become His hands and feet to this world.
I know where I am headed and I am learning to love to play in the dirt!