Amidst the Muck

We have a park one block from our house that has a sidewalk all the way around it, about the equivalent of 400 meters, like the size of a track. It has been a perfect place to walk or jog laps without having to go far from home. Walking and jogging is one of my hobbies and I am glad that I have been able to continue this year during the social distancing season, albeit with my mask on. I enjoy getting a good walk, usually in the evening around 6 pm to get rid of the stress of the day. However, we have many street dogs here in Ecuador and many dog owners take their dogs for walks in or around the park. Due to this, my walking path is sometimes full of “land mines”, dog muck to avoid.

As I walk, I try to clear my mind from the clutter of my day, it feels a bit like avoiding the poop. My mind lands on issues that happen at the school where I teach, and it is easy for my mind to stray to negative thoughts about people that have caused conflict or difficulties for myself or my husband during the day. I have realized that I need to be as careful with my mind as with my step. As I walk, I avoid the “muck” in my day by focusing my thoughts on why I am here in Ecuador – to share God’s love with the people around me.

Sometimes as I walk, my glasses begin to steam up from the cold air and from breathing with my mask on. I begin to lose my ability to see well, and it becomes more difficult to avoid the muck. I must stop and wipe my glasses on my shirt before I continue. I have observed that something similar happens in my mind; my mind becomes foggy and unfocused with daily difficulties, tasks to complete and problems I encounter. I must intentionally stop and get a clearer picture of how blessed I am. I do this by focusing my mind on the reasons I have to be thankful: my health, my ability to walk, the school where I serve, my family, my friends. God is good and his blessings ARE new every morning; I can have the clear vision to see the ways He is blessing me.

Sometimes despite my best effort, I do get dog muck on my shoes. If this occurs, when I return to my house, I intentionally take time to wipe my shoes on the grass in my yard. It takes focused effort to get rid of the muck and the stink that it has left. I have had this same experience in my mind. Sometimes I do allow negative thoughts about others to become my “go to” thoughts and it is harder to remember my calling and have a clear vision of what I am thankful for. When I realize this has occurred, it takes intentional effort to stop and focus on why I am here and how God has blessed me.
I would encourage you as well to be aware and avoid the “muck.”

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”