Thursday, June 07, 2007

My Outhouse Story


I was four, we were living in this small two bedroom house that my Gramma sold to my parents for $1.00 when they were newly married. It is a cottage now but when we owned it it was white with robins egg blue trim and a white picket fence all around it.There was no plumbing in the house. We had a pump in the kitchen and Mom used to bath us in a big aluminum tub out in the yard in the summer / sponge bath us in the winter. So needless to say we didn't have a regular bathroom as we know one today, nope we had an outhouse.....not even as nice as this one above. It was unpainted and close enough to the barn that it just kinda blended right in. It had two holes, I don't know if it was for adults and children or if it was sitters and pointers but I ALWAYS sat on the smaller hole. Until just this one day, I don't know if I thought I was finally old enough or if I just wanted to try it out for size or what but .......I wish I hadn't. I peeled my pants completely off to tackle the unknown and boosted myself up there kicking my black Mary Jane shoes on the wooden boards surrounding it and slowly lowered my buns to the splintering wood and then I lost my grip.............I folded in half in the hole and tried to wiggle free and finally after much struggle I WAS FREED!!!!!!!!.........but........on the wrong side of the hole!!!!! I WAS UP TO MY WAIST IN CRAP!!!! There were horrible flies all around me taunting at me in my horror, I SCREAMED and I SCREAMED and no one heard me I CRIED while my bottom lip trembled then I screamed some more. Listen up peeps I was trapped and there was no one there to hear me. FOUR hours later my Mom wondered where I was. By then I was so tired and afraid I just stood there in the dark, stench with my arms raised waiting for my doom, not even thinking that at one point SOMEONE would have to go! My Mom finally found me and I was safe, and secure in my Mommy and Daddy's arms! I was so traumatized I really don't remember how they got me out, but I can tell you one thing for sure ..........I NEVER wanted to go near that pot at the end of the rainbow again. My parents bought me a potty.

Well, I grew up and I lived my life like I did that day when I was four, I was searching for a thrill only to find myself knee deep in $_it and left there all alone with the flies of life taunting at me telling me I was not worth what I was standing in, for what seemed like forever until a few years ago, I reached out my arms and screamed and cried for help and the Lord whispered to me "I am here, I will save you." I gave him my heart and I am now safe in the arms of my Daddy. And like in my outhouse story I NEVER want to go to the pot at the end of(what I thought was) that rainbow again. God said, I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. -1 Corinthians 2:3. Do you feel like you are sometimes in an outhouse? Come to Me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28. This means anyone "ALL YOU WHO LABOR" ( or worry). Only He can give us rest for our souls to strengthen us for the road ahead.

Thank you Lord that I don't have to live in that CRAP anymore. Oh ! And Lord I almost forgot THANK YOU FOR INDOOR PLUMBING!!!!!!!!

12 comments:

Nadine said...

What a great post. So sorry you went through that as a child - how horrible. I love though how you brought the Lord and His protection into your story. Thank you for sharing an exerience that was difficult and turning it around to something encouraging and beautiful.

kitchu said...

WOW, what a story- I can't imagine what that was like being stuck and feeling that helpless. Like you're analogy too to your relationship with God.

Catherine said...

So sorry you had to go through that as a child but what a wonderful way you've tied it together with how the Lord has worked in your life. Great analogy!

I honestly don't know how people make it day to day without the Lord. So happy to have you as an adoption bloggy friend and a sister in Christ!

4D said...

What a great analogy!

Keep smilin!

Middle-Aged Moi said...

Wow. I can't imagine that. I would have a fear of outhouses for life!!! I still loved the analogy that you drew.

YOur sister in Christ,

Janet

Shionge said...

This is a wonderful trip down memory lane and thank you for sharing your childhood story with us ;D

Anonymous said...

Hi Deb...You have such a way with words...but i have to tell you I was laughing very hard....picturing you in all that crap....only because I'm sure you grew up at my grandparents. You described the outhouse perfectly!! But I never fell in...thank goodness. They did not get plumbing until 1984...only because of my nannie's deteriorating health and a government grant...yup the good old gov...provided for a toilet!! but it was a wonderful story!! Are you sure nails is your calling??? poet, writer, inspirational speaker, etc...kimmer

Lisa said...

What a great post. I love the analogy. How true it is.

Abby's Mom said...

Oh you poor thing. I think that would have traumatized me for life. I love your faith though :)

D & S said...

Wow, what a story. I can't even imagine what you must've been thinking while you were stuck. How scary.

Elisa...life as we know it. said...

OMG that would haunt me forever!

Anyhoo now for some great news...we got our referral!

Truly Blessed said...

What an amazing story. Terrifying at the time, I'm sure, but funny in the re-telling all these years later. And you wrapped it up so nicely with such an incredible message about hope and true salvation.

I'll second your thanks to God for indoor plumbing!