Finding Light in Sticky Mud

Most of the time I write about things that make me feel good. Things with a positive vibe. In my heart, I hope they make my readers feel better, if only briefly. This post is slightly different (sort of).

In case you missed it, I recently posted on social media, including here on Substack, about being part of an online story journey called Finding Light in the Dark published by Daily Inspired Life. The collection includes seven stories from people around the world, and each one includes accompanying insights and reflections to help the reader move through difficult seasons with more hope, perspective, and light. Each writer chose to share part of their life in the hope it may help someone else, and I am honored to be a part of the publication.

The stories cycle through seven days and while each narrative may not match your circumstances, you may find yourself learning from them and discovering ways to apply them to your own life. Keep in mind that you can read at your own pace and don’t necessarily need to finish the journey in a week. If you choose to complete the journey, you’ll find my story on Day7.

When I began my own journey with Day1, the “Wise Insight” that preceded the story reminded me of something Henri Nouwen wrote in Life of the Beloved: “The first response…to our brokenness is to face it squarely and befriend it.” I read the story, then addressed the guided questions and prompts. I identified what most feels heavy in my life (feeling unnecessary since my children have moved away), described it as “dark-brown sticky mud” and named it “Pluffy.”

Pluff mud is found throughout the salt marshes and tidal creeks of the southeastern U.S. Lowcountry. It’s formed by decaying marsh grasses and marine life, has a quicksand-like consistency, and a distinctive, sulfurous “rotten egg” aroma. The mucky soil is formed by the continuous decomposition of nutrient-rich organic matter essential to its environment.

Carrying Puffy is lonely. I gave my children the essentials I thought they needed to succeed, survive, and better the world, and now I’m stuck in the muck. But like the first three steps of Alcoholics Anonymous’ twelve traditions, I admitted I was powerless over my darkness, reminded myself that God could restore light, and turned my loneliness over to Him. I concluded by jotting in my personal journal, “A new chapter has begun!” and vowed to continue to Day2.

Hopefully, by this time you’re intrigued. The writers and the founder of dailyinspiredlife.com are normal people just like you and me. I’m not sure of their professional backgrounds or education, though I can tell you my bachelor’s degree certainly does not qualify me to counsel. We who shared our stories did so merely because we want you to find your own light or to perhaps make your walk a bit brighter. The subtitle on the cover of Finding Light in the Dark aptly states, True Stories and Guided Reflections to Help You Find Your Way (Without Pretending It’s Easy).

You can download the free Story Journey here:

https://dailyinspiredlife.com/finding-light-in-the-dark-story-journey/

A journey can be both physical and figurative—the latter being a passage or series of experiences that lead to personal growth, change, or transition, and/or self-discovery. Finding Light in the Dark is an invitation for you to come walk in the dark with us. And if there’s someone in your life who may need these stories right now, share this post with them, too.