Message-ID: <19680462.1075853941996.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 07:08:00 -0800 (PST) From: bjackson@sswpc.com To: dana.davis@enron.com, lola.willis@enron.com Subject: FW: Fwd[2]:GREAT STORY:SHAKE & STEP Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: Bobby Jackson X-To: "'Dana.davis@enron.com'" , "'Lola.Willis@enron.com'" X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Dana_Davis_Dec2000\Notes Folders\Discussion threads X-Origin: Davis-D X-FileName: ddavis2.nsf 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'. >> > > > >> > > >