Short Stories

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Stubborn as a Mule
By Patricia Backora, author of the book
Tough Love in Christ’s Millennium
Which you can order online from: http://www.publishamerica.com

I was meditating on the dilemma of “whosoever will” vs. “free will”, where it concerns persuading an unbeliever to partake freely of the Fountain of Living Water. The Lord showed me a vision of a very determined man, sweating and straining and digging in his heels, tugging at the reins of a very obstinate mule. This mule was normally stubborn, but today he was not in his right mind because he had been grazing on loco weed. So he didn’t have sense enough to know when he was thirsty. The owner feared his animal would die of dehydration if he didn’t have a drink of water.

The mule reared and bucked, nearly knocking the poor man down. But the man persisted until the animal gave in because the strain on his bit was making his mouth sore. The man began to sing and rejoice because it seemed like the mule was meekly following him to the watering hole, head bowed in submission. But the mule was steaming with resentment on the inside because he had been overpowered by a smaller creature.

Finally they reached the edge of the pond. “You’d better take advantage of this refreshment,” said the man. “It’ll be a long way before we see fresh water again.”

The mule didn’t want to give his owner the satisfaction. Stiffly he raised his head, mouth tightly closed. He brayed in defiance.

“Being stubborn again, eh?” his owner grumbled. “Well, I’m gonna break you of that right here and now. I’m not gonna be beaten by any dumb mule. You’re gonna drink this water if it kills you!”

With all his might the man tugged at the mule, trying to get him to move. Still he brayed and snorted defiance. The man jumped in the water, still holding the reins. “About time you had a good bath, too,” he said. “C’mon in.”

The mule stood his ground at the bank of the pond. But the man did manage to force the mule’s muzzle into the water and hold it beneath the surface. “Ah,” said the man, “you’re drinking now. I’ve won.”

No, he didn’t win. The stubborn mule drowned because the water went down the wrong way.

Sinners who have been feasting on this world’s loco weed don’t always know what’s best for them. The Water of Life only benefits those who partake of it willingly.

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