Flip ~ Flops & Mud

A few nights ago Rob and I were next door visiting Dick.  I had run home to get something and was on my way back.  It had started snowing and I had on my flip-flops(not the smartest choice, I know).  Usually I just run across the lawn and sneak through a space in the fence.  When I got to the edge of the lawn I realized it was really muddy.  I stood there for a moment trying to decide what to do.  I could probably just make three big jumps and maybe only get the tip toes of my flip-flops dirty, or I could just go the long way around the fence and out on the road.  I weighed my decisions.  I had barely cut the tags off my new cute pink Flip-flops, and sure I could wash the mud off, but chances are they still wouldn’t be quite as pretty….or I could just get to walking and go the way I knew I should.

I also thought about how no one was looking to judge me for jumping through the mud, no one would ever know.  Then I realized even though they didn’t see me in the act, my footprints would be left there.  What if the twins saw my tracks and decided to follow in my footprints?  I didn’t want to have to clean the mud off their shoes too….

I couldn’t help but think about how this related to decisions in my life.  So many times it is tempting to just sneak through the mud(make a bad choice) instead of taking the right path.  And sure, we can always repent(wash the mud off).  But in the end what are we left with?  A pair of dirty flip-flops that it probably took longer to clean up than it would have to go around the fence. 

I decided I had better set a good example and go around.  Even though my toes were freezing I knew I had made the right decision, and that made me happy.   It also inspired me to try and do a little better as a parent, primary leader, wife, and friend.  I am going to try and spend less time cleaning up mud and more time getting my toes a little cold because I am staying on the right path.