He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalm 40:2

A recent storm knocked over my corn. The next morning I scooped up mud to pack around the base of the plants to prop them upright. My hands, arms, feet and legs were covered in mud. My thighs began to burn with fatigue and I stumbled into the electric fence, which sent an unwanted shock through my body. The task was unpleasant but I desired a corn harvest, so I finished the work.

     As I worked God reminded me of my work to reach my incarcerated friends. They, like David, are stuck in the miry clay. Sin has left them a muddy mess. Jesus seeks to be their rock and establish their goings. He has called me to prop them up by offering His gracious salvation plan. So, week after week, I study, pray and prepare a lesson to convey the message of Jesus saving grace.

     When propping others who are stuck in the mud, we too get muddy. Sharing the gospel with words, truth and action requires giving of ourselves. I am now propping up a lady who is muddied by sins of abuse and addiction. I prop her with God’s truth but Satan sends storms that knock her over again. I repeat the propping process. Compassion is required to minister in the mud.

Ten years in this ministry have, at times, left me fatigued. Three years ago I helped a young mother find a job and get an apartment. My husband and I spent two to three months shopping at auctions, yard sales, estate sales, and contacting our local Hope Foundation to furnish her apartment. We traveled to Baxter, seventy miles from home, for used appliances which loaded my husband’s pick-up truck beyond capacity! This lady works and still lives in her apartment, so our efforts helped. I was fatigued: spiritually, mentally and emotionally, after this ministry business of propping, but I recovered.

     I have often experienced shock while serving in this ministry. From betrayal to false accusations I have had unwanted currents run through my body! But most shocking is that Satan has pulled women into the muddy mess of sin. They are unable to get out and I am unable to pull them out. All I can offer is support. I can show compassion and share truth but Jesus alone, by His work, can pull them out of sins strong hold that keeps them stuck in the mud. It is His work not mine, I am only His hands and feet used for His service. I will continue to serve because I desire souls for harvest.

I must be willing to get muddy, experience fatigue and feel shock as I meet these ladies in the mud. 

Ladies, if you have a family member or friend stuck in the mud, keep propping them up. You will experience muddy messes, fatigue and shock but remember it is God’s work, not yours. Someday, you will reap the harvest of souls. Keep propping while trusting God to cleanse you, give you rest, and heal your shocked souls as you labor to see others founded on Jesus Christ, the rock!  

WORDS OF TRUTH

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And of some have compassion, making a difference:

And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Jude 22 and 23