A Prayer for Mucking Out

Laura Digan October 25, 2023 5 2

Playlists

Add to Favourites

Save for later

Listen to this daily worship

Luke 15: 11-20 (NRSVA)

11 Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.

I understand why the prodigal son experienced revelation when he was working in the pigsty, caring for the pigs. I have to go to the stables every day to care for my horse Cheeko. 

Every day I leave my ego at the stable door to care for another living creature. 

I leave my ego at the stable door and muck out the excrement. 
I leave my ego at the stable door and climb the muck heap to empty the wheelbarrow. 
I leave my ego at the stable door to fill the stable with clean straw. 
I leave my ego at the stable door to fill the nets with hay.
I leave my ego at the stable door to empty and refill the water buckets.

You would think it was monotonous and boring but it isn’t. As I leave my ego at the stable door I am ready for the Lord to fill
With grace
With understanding
With revelation
With love. 

At the stables mucking out I’ve written in my head many a sermon
Let go of many hurts
Found the words to say to those who are broken
Found the words to heal many an argument. 
Today friends perhaps give yourself over to a space you need to clean or declutter. Ask the Lord to still your heart, leave your ego at the door and give yourself fully to the task and to the Lord. 

PRAYER:

Lord in the messiness of my life

Help me to see your truth

Fill me with your understanding

And the courage to make any changes

Amen