Thank God for Ox Poop

Where no cattle are, the stall is clean, but much gain is by the strength of the ox. (Proverbs 14:4 MKJV)

This interesting little proverb has a simple meaning: we shouldn't complain when a particular situation has both a blessing and a burden, because the blessing usually outweighs the burden.

Certainly it was no pleasant task to clean up the messes the oxen left in the stall, but what it meant was: we have an ox! Someone may come along and say, "You know, my stable is always clean." The reply? "Well...yeah. But that's because you don't have an ox. We have messes to clean up, but we also have the blessing of added production thanks to the ox."

When your car is in need of repair, you know what that means? You have a car. Here in Mozambique there are millions of people who never have car trouble. It would be a dream come true if they did.

We grumble when we wait fifteen minutes in line to pay for a cart full of groceries. But such a burden is a sign that we have the means to afford a cart full of groceries. A fifteen minute wait to pay for it? Untold millions would love to have such a problem.

Your electricity went out during the storm? Great! That means your house normally has electricity.

The service was lousy when you went to the restaurant? That means you can afford to eat in restaurants.

Our grumblings must wear on the patience of the Lord who has so well provided for us. When the next burden arises, thank God for the blessing that made it possible.