A Slime Trail or a Silver Lining?
By Shelley M. Reed
Have you ever heard the expression, “Look for the silver lining!” I am fairly sure that all of us
have encountered that saying sometime in our lives. You are trudging through life and find
yourself in a struggle, and you try to preach encouragement into your brain by declaring,
“There has to be a silver lining somewhere in this mess!”
About 6 months ago, I was taking my puppies for their morning walk on the sidewalk in front of
our neighborhood, and I happened to look down to catch something interesting. There were
snails leisurely gliding across the pavement. Every few steps I would see one, then another.
Everyone knows that snails are not fast! One speed – slow and methodical. In no hurry to get
anywhere. I guess you can’t blame them especially when they have to constantly carry their
bulky, coiled body on their back. And it doesn’t help that it is encased in a thick, cumbersome
shell. Not sure if you remember studying them in your biology class in high school, but their
scientific name is “Gas-tropod”. Ironically, they move as if they are running more on an empty
tank rather than a full one! But what was even more fascinating to me was when I looked at
them very closely, I could see a “slime trail” they were leaving behind them. You could almost
track their exact path. Each journey was different. Each path was crooked and uncalculated.
Though the blazed paths were specific and special to that particular snail, all of them were
anything but straight. Each trek appeared to be more like aimless wandering or meandering
rather than clear direction and focus. There were sharp twists and abrupt turns. I also noticed
that some made it across, while others ran out of steam and appeared to just stop right in the
middle of the slime highway too tired to finish.
Their endurance apparently ran out.
Their fatigue set in, and they just gave up.
Isn’t that our lives? Sometimes we feel like we are on a goopy slime highway going nowhere.
Carrying the massive coiled weight of life on our shoulders. Meandering. Losing focus and
finding ourself off the straight and narrow way and sitting at a curve somewhere.
Getting stuck.
Giving up.
Tired.
THEN something amazing happened! As I turned and started to walk toward the sun, each and
every one of those slime trails lit up like a string of Christmas tree lights.
They shimmered.
They shined.
They sparkled like silver threads on a piece of satin.
I was mesmerized, as the Holy Spirit whispered into my soul,
“Shelley, this is what happens when I get involved! If you look toward the me, your life will
sparkle and make sense.
What you thought was meaningless meandering, I had an infinite plan.
What you thought was depressing detours, I had an eternal purpose.
There wasn’t just a silver lining.
Your faith parted a silver sea, and your life became a glistening
light that will glow forever!
When we view our lives through the eyes of the Son,
each and every one of our lives absolutely has a silver lining!
John 1:4
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness has not overcome it.
II Corinthians 3:15
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the
same image from one degree of glory to another.
For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Dear Shelley Belly,
You know who this is. No one else has too. Had a talk with Aunt Brenda. Once again, I am humbled by your story. I have to catch with them & u. I like birds more bc of the red Cardinal. Love Sunflowers bc of that story. Wish I could get them to grow outside my window. I think I am gona collect snails now. (lol). As learning, myself, about a woman down in her well, for everyone or her man, to leave her alone. I’m glad to say the place I was in with anxiety, isn’t completely gone. I am a lot better. I know others can relate and I hope this helps someone. I did get a little furry friend, just for me. She is my support animal that I can hold. She loves me, for me, and needs me. Really who needs who. Who rescued who. she can be doing zoomies, and I have learned to just stay calm. The Lord just took over. I do need to trust Him more bc I have a big weight on my shoulders. A huge thing that I can’t control.
Love u tons,
Jo
I absolutely know who this is! Miss you Jo! So glad your little fur baby has been an encouragement to you and your anxiety has been better. We must connect soon. Lots of love my friend!
Thank you for helping me look for the silver lining and going deeper with God.
Hey shell!! My heart aches for you.
I didn’t expect this Journey would find its way back to you.
I like you, know that Gods plans are perfect,. However, it still brings much sadness to me.
I love your writing, your storytelling words speaks truth to the heart. I look forward to read, digest and grow as you write more.
I am sorry 😢 that I haven’t kept in closer contact these last couple of years. However I’m here now.
Mario Laricca has been under going treatment for bile cancer. His is like yours it’s in a place that they can’t get at.
Michelle is right by his side such a lovely couple.
Nikki continues with her quarterly procedures on her esophagus.
She’s such a trooper. Take care and let’s talk soon. Love you 🥰
Closer contact
Hey Peg! It was so great hearing from you. Thank you for the update. I added you to my email list. So glad to hear that you are well and Nikki has been healthy! Yes, Michelle reached out to me. My heart hurts. Please give her the biggest hug for me. And please…stay in touch! Love you my friend!
So glad you were encouraged! It was an awesome reminder that God has a special plan for all of us!
I remember seeing those on my sidewalks at my other house before we moved. Always thought it was the coolest thing, but never thought spiritually about them until reading this post. Thanks!
I know! Lots to ponder. God is so good. I love His creation and all the spiritual lessons we can glean from it! Thanks for your encouragement girlie!
I love this and love your heart!
Thank you my friend!
Love those little buggers but not when they eat your mothers Huskes. Yes, Shelley we all leave a trail as we travel through life’s journey, and when the light of the Lord shines on my glistening trail I want it to shine not on the things I have done but on the Things Christ has done through me. Not me but Him. The joy on a child’s face as I tell them about the love of Christ. The Hope He will bring in their life as they live through the Holy Spirit. They have a Friend that is always there for them no matter what life brings. Their life will always have a silver lining as they live for our lord and Savior Jesus Christ even in the difficult times in life. A life in Christ always brings Joy not just happiness. It is not just children but all people I come in contact with.
I love you so much as I see your tract glisten bright in the light of the Lord. I am so proud of you not just as I look upon you as my daughter not just biologically but as a child of my lord and Savior. May your tract continue to glister even after the Lord takes me home someday. Continue to always use your Holy Spirit Gifts to inspire People and bring people to Christ. You see Shelley my glistening track will always continue because of your love for Christ and your service for Him.
Love you a ton
Your Dad
Thanks Pops!
Your reply was such an encouragement! Yes, Jesus is always there and how exciting to be able to share Him with others! You are the best and such a blessing to me! I love you!