One of my least favorite pastimes used to be mowing. You know, using the push mower or the old mowe r with a steering wheel, seat over the gas tank, the motor between your legs and you were cramped up trying to mow if you were tall. Then, the speed was slow and you spent a lot of time going forward and reverse. These new zero turns actually make mowing fun. Anyway, its not that I hate it, I do enjoy the loud noise of the motor that drowns out the telephone, cell phone, people talking, dogs barking and the like. It takes me to a place of somewhat solitude. When the job is finished, the end result is beautiful.
One of the problems is that it is so time consuming. I was mowing about two acres and it would take 3-5 hours to mow. As I sit on the mower making seemingly endless circles my mind wanders to the plethora of things I could be doing.
Another area of disagreement with me and mowing is the terrain. I don’t mean the amount to mow, but the ground surface to be mowed. It needing some landscaping might just be the understatement of the decade!
Since we built and moved to our house in Ashdown, AR in 2007, in two mowing seasons I went through 4 sets of mower blades, 10 blade deck housings, 3 steel blade shafts and 2 deck repairs and belt replacements. The staff at the parts house know me by name and have parts stocked just for my mower.
One occasion of mowing was quite the experience (as most are). It fell in line with all the others.
Jill and I decided we needed to mow not only because the grass was getting long and shaggy but the forecast was calling for rain, and if it rains, it usually takes about a week to dry out.
Soooo…the first thing I needed to do was to adjust the deck. I had to replace a deck hanger last time I mowed and one side was now mowing higher than the other. Adjustment made, let the mowing begin.
Mowing was going good until I hit some thick grass and the drive belt broke. t’s 4:45, parts house closes at 5. Hurry and I’ll make it. I run, arrive at parts house and get belt. New belt installed and I’m mowing again.
Mowing until I hit the stump hidden in tall grass. Bent blade at a 90 degree angle. Remove blade, grab hammer, wrench and have to find a vice. Go to shop at church, pound, pry, pull and bend. The blade is straightened and back in business.
Mowing resumed. Trucking along real good until I find a rock in the front ditch (never seen this one before). Now what? Metal piece off the grass chute broke. A pull here, pry there and lift up…place on outer deck and we’re in business…again.
These breakdowns all happen in 1 ½ hours. I figured up that I mowed 25 minutes and the rest was time spent repairing what broke (did I mention I do not like to mow?). Last repair made and I went on to finish unhindered and breakdown free!
Jesus did this too. Not interrupted things, but fixed them. For instance, Peter, Andrew, James and John fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus said to go to the deep and throw your nets. The result was a catch so big the nets were about to break and the boats sinking.
In John 8, a lady caught in the act of adultery was thrown at Jesus feet. Jesus did not accuse her or stone her, He fixed her.
A multitude followed Jesus, listened to Him teach and now the hour was late. They had no food and the disciples had no money to buy food. Jesus, He took what was there, blessed it and everyone ate. He fixed it.
A widow lost her son, a centurion lost his daughter and two sisters lost their brother. Once again, Jesus fixed it raising those who had died.
We see Jesus fixing the blind, deaf, lame, demon possessed and even lepers. If He had any complaint, it was at their lack of faith and understanding.
But, the thing He fixed that was beyond repair by anyone but Him was…US! We were sinful with no hope of being fixed before God. The sacrificial system was corrupt, the priest could not fix themselves, let alone anyone else, and we just were left broken.
Jesus knew just what to do. He gave Himself on a cross in our place. He fixed the sin problem separating us from God by dying on a cross. (2 Corinthians 5:21) I guess when I mow and something breaks I should be grateful I can fix it or it can be fixed.
Bro. Tim
