The Hippo One

I have been thinking about the hippo lately.

A few years ago I posted a note about the hippo and the eagle. And that’s what’s on my heart to share again today.

Maybe it’s because I’m doing quite a bit of reflection and contemplation during this Lenten season, thinking about my life, God’s calling on it, and how I’m really living joy to the full.

I’m wondering where dipping my toe has turned into sliding down the slippery slope and then plopping into the dirty water and now I’m stuck in the mucky mud.

May your heart be drawn closer this week to The One Who Loves You Always.

There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.

Isn’t that the truth?

The American writer, Carl Sandburg, won three Pulitzer Prizes. One of them had to have been received for writing that simple statement, don’t you think?  He nailed the daily, internal struggle for many of us.

I’ve giggled about and contemplated that description often. And here’s what I’ve discovered…

We usually picture that hippo lazily rolling around in that black, slimy, gritty mud hole, with water up to his shoulders. Right?

Well, he didn’t start there.

He got into the mud by first dipping one (huge!) toe into the water, and the rest of him followed.  (Or perhaps we should say, he dropped one huge toe into the water and the rest of him plopped!)

The lesson?

Keep your tootsies out of the mud.

If you start flirting with temptation or get too close to those situations that will only cause you heartache, you are going to plop right in before you know it! Rolling in the mud just shouldn’t be something we aspire to. Right?

Matthew wrote in his 26th chapter, The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Just imagine that hippo…

I bet that once his toe hits the mud, there’s no stopping him. Even if he wanted to stay on shore, he’s started the slippery slide and he just can’t pull himself out.

So, the lesson I’m learning…

Stay away from the situations that invite me into dangerous territory. Don’t pick up the book that conflicts with my divine soul. Stay away from the fridge when I’m upset. Keep my mouth closed when I’m angry and I want to take it out on Steve.

Keep my toes out of the mud.

 

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