Well, let me tell you, life, it’s like a bumpy old dirt road. Sometimes you gotta take a few steps down to get where you’re going. I’ve learned a thing or two about that in my time, and I reckon it’s worth sharin’. Ain’t no fancy words here, just plain old truth.
First thing, you gotta accept. Accept what? Well, accept things the way they are. You got a flat tire? It’s flat. No use cryin’ over spilled milk, right? You just gotta look at it straight. Like when my old Bessy got sick, there weren’t no point in pretendin’ she was gonna get better on her own. I had to accept she needed help, you see? So, you look at your life, whatever mess it is, and you say, “Alright, this is it.” That’s the first step down.
- Accept what is.
- Don’t cry over spilled milk.
- Look at things straight.
Now, second, you gotta figure out what’s important. Identify what matters. Like, is it your family? Your health? That old patch of land you love so much? Figure out what makes your heart sing, even if it’s just a little tune. Maybe you wanna be a better friend, or learn how to bake a pie that’ll make folks weep with joy. Whatever it is, you gotta pick somethin’ to focus on. Like plantin’ seeds, you gotta choose what you wanna grow. You can’t grow everything all at once, right? So you pick your battles, just like pickin’ your best tomatoes. That’s the second step down. Get your focus right.
Third thing, now this is important, watch your mouth. Yeah, you heard me right. What comes outta your mouth, it matters. Words are like seeds too. You plant good ones, you get good things. You plant bad ones, you get weeds. Nasty, thorny weeds. Like that time I told young Timmy his dog was ugly. Well, that hurt him, didn’t it? Shoulda kept my mouth shut. Ephesians, that book in the bible, it says, “Don’t use foul or abusive language.” And that’s the gospel truth, let me tell you. Be good and helpful, that’s what it says. Each word a gift, like a little present. So you choose your words carefully, like you’re pickin’ out the best apples for your neighbor. Sweet and kind, that’s the way to go. That’s step number three.
- Watch your words.
- Words are like seeds, plant good ones.
- Be good and helpful with your words.
Last but not least. It takes time, see? Like them seeds you plant. You don’t just stick ’em in the ground and expect a whole garden the next day, do ya? Nope. It takes time. You gotta water ’em, weed ’em, wait for the sun to do its work. Same with life. You gotta be patient. You take those steps down, one at a time, and you keep at it. God’s Kingdom, it’s like that too. It grows slow, but it grows strong. All the bad stuff, the sickness, the meanness, it all gets overcome in the end. It’s like, how you gonna build a tower? One brick at a time. You don’t rush it. You count the cost, as they say, before you even start. Same with life, same with being a disciple, you need to know what you are going into. So you just keep on keepin’ on, and trust that things will get better. That’s the last step down, patience, and it’s maybe the hardest one of all.
You see, these four steps down, they ain’t easy, but they’re worth it. Accept, Identify, Watch your words, and be patient. It’s like tendin’ a garden, really. You put in the work, and you trust that somethin’ good will come of it. And it will, I promise you. Just like that old sayin’, “You reap what you sow.” So sow good seeds, take those steps down, and watch your life blossom. It ain’t always easy, mind you, but nothin’ worth havin’ ever is. And that’s just how it is. You keep your chin up, your heart open, and those feet movin’.
- Accept things the way they are.
- Identify what matters most to you.
- Say only what helps, each word a gift.
- Be patient, good things take time.
You follow these steps, and you’ll find your way. Maybe not the way you expected, but the way you’re meant to go. And that’s all that matters in the end, ain’t it? Just keep walkin’, one step at a time. And remember the teacher is God, just follow him. One foot in front of the other, that’s the way. That’s how you make it through, come rain or shine. And that’s all there is to it, really. Just keep going. Keep growing. You will be ok.
