Stuck in the mud...

When I was a young man I worked on a farm in Sheridan, Indiana. It was a large farm by standards in that day. The name of the farm was “Waitt Feeder Pigs”. I loved to be part of watching things grow. Sure it was hard work but I was young, tough, and committed.

One day as I was driving a tractor through one of the fields I drove straight into a very wet piece of the field. Before I could get the tractor back to the dryer part of the field I found myself completely stuck. Wheels were spinning, mud was flying, and I was in a panic. I had to get myself out. I did everything I could think of…I rocked it back and forth, gave it more gas, put some wood under the tires…anything for more traction…the end result…buried to the axels. It was only when I realized I was stuck and couldn’t get myself out that my tactics changed.

It was pre-cell phone days so I got out of the cab of the tractor and began the lonely ‘walk of shame’ back to the farm house. I met the owner, Warren Waitt, obviously surprised that I was returning without his tractor. With my head down I explained the situation. Warren was not the least bit concerned. He explained we would take his 4 Wheel Drive Case tractor, which has way more power, go back to the field with a long chain and pull the first tractor out of the mud.

Things worked out just as he told me. What a relief…I was sure that tractor was going to be stuck in the mud for the rest of my life.

Warren did leave me with a parting statement…”the next time you get stuck, just stop, once you’re stuck you ain’t getting out on your own”.

What’s my point?

Stuck in the mud…call on the all powerful one, Jesus Christ.