Disappointment is a cow patty in my field of dreams. And I don’t know about y’all, but when I go strollin’ through it, I envision myself barefoot. With that in mind, you can picture how God-awfully that unsuccessful audition squishes between my toes; get an idea how the rank odor of unmet expectations makes my eyes water; or share my scowl as I scrape that unexpected goodbye off the bottom of my heart.

And Lord help us if my picture, post, or share doesn’t get a like or two—the whole herd might as well have left a steaming heap on my green.

But’cha know what? My meadow wouldn’t be nearly as lush without a few muffins on it. Because RARELY is there a single footprint in a mound of manure. Other folks will go through it, too. And as they do, they’ll spread that stuff thinner, making it less noticeable, less painful. Along the way, you’ll share a moment with somebody going through something similar. You’ll shrug, shake your head, maybe shed a tear, then go on with your life. The good bits beneath our feet get to work on making us richer as we tread.

SO, the next time you spot a pile in your pasture—and you will, believe me—stand up straight, hold yer nose and start STOMPIN’. Love y’all.