ON MY OWN

Paul started mowing the yard in the late afternoon. He was able to mow the front yard, both sides and about a quarter of the back yard before supper was ready. After supper he looked at me and said “do you want to mow the rest of the yard or give the kids their baths?” I first said neither because I wanted to finish a sewing project I had started. But, I told him I would mow the yard. I used to love to do it for my dad and I miss being able to do it. So, I got my tennis shoes on and went out to finish the back yard. Not long after I started I was wondering why I had chosen to mow rather than do baths! I didn't remember it being that hard last year when I did it. I almost gave up after doing about a quarter of the yard and was going to go finish baths so Paul could finish the yard. I instead told myself I could do it, I just wasn't used to it. So, I kept going. I also realized I got the part of the yard that has the “forest”, bushes and stand alone trees, which means a lot of trimming and not just a straight line. But, I kept going. Finally, I was a little more than half-way done and I decided I needed to stop to go get a drink of water. If I didn't I wasn't going to be able to finish the rest of the yard. Oh, and by the way, I was using a push mower...just so you don't think I can't handle riding around the yard. And it is one that you have to hold the bar on the top of the handle down or the mower won't run.

Anyway, I went in and got a drink. As I got back out to the mower, I realized there was a bar on the bottom of the handle also and it all the sudden dawns on me THIS MOWER IS A SELF-PROPELLED MOWER! Wow! When I pulled that bar up the mower really went and it was much easier! If it hadn't been for that I don't think I could have finished mowing the yard. I was just getting too worn out and it was getting hard on my legs, back, arms, neck...ok my whole body!

As I finished up the yard I was thinking about how many times I try to do things on my own. I try to parent my kids without seeking God's wisdom. I want to fix other people's problems without asking God if I should be helping or just listening. I forget to ask for help when I just need some strength to make it through the day. I try to love others on my own without asking for God to show His love through me. I might think to ask for help once my ways have failed, but wouldn't it be so much easier if I would just ask from the start? How bout you? Have you been trying to “push the mower” without the self-propel bar? “Pull that bar” up and ask God to help you!

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6)