I am thankful that God hears and answers prayers. I have learned that these answers can come when you are least expecting them. My husband had cataracts removed from his eyes, and the optometrist informed him that he could not cut the grass for six weeks. When we left his follow-up appointment, he was upset. Our yard is his pride and joy, and the fact that he could not cut the grass had him mad. I must admit that he keeps our yard looking nice. So when I saw him upset, I told him I would cut the yard until he could do it again. Not knowing that we would have heat adversaries during this time (nothing like Florida in the summer).
Disclaimer: I have not cut our yard in a while. This is my husband’s baby, so I tend to stay out of his way, but let me tell you, this has been a journey. I had to learn how to use the equipment again.
1) My initial thought was, what’s so hard about starting a riding lawn mower? Put the key in, and it starts. I put the key in, and it started, but the lawn mower would not move. So, I had to call my husband. He had pulled out this little lever in the back because he said it’s easier to move the lawn mower around in the garage when the lever is disengaged, so I learned that I had to push that lever in for the lawn mower to move. After that disclosure, I was able to cut most of the grass.
2) We also have a push mower. The push mower is used in certain areas of the yard because the riding mower cuts these areas too low. So, I pushed those areas. By now, you can imagine how hot, dirty, and sweaty I was, but wait, I was still not finished.
3) The weed wacker was waiting for me. I took it out and it was in two parts. How in the world do you put this thing together, I thought. So, I called my husband again. He came out and showed me, and then he had to start it because I was too tired and weak to pull the string fast enough for it to start. Once he started it, I went around the decorations in the yard and the base of the house. Oh my! I was ready to remove all the trees with the pretty bricks around them so I could just ride the riding lawn mower. By then, I was beyond done, but my husband informed me that I hadn't edged yet. I laughed and stated, "it won’t get edged today, you might want to pay our neighbors' lawn service to edge the yard." I then sent up a silent prayer for help.
4) The blower. I was also too weak to get this started, so my husband started that also.
After that, I went into the house, took a nice shower, laid across the bed, and fell asleep. I was exhausted. When I woke up, my husband had cooked. As we ate, he reminded me that he also cuts my mothers' yard. So, two days later, I was at her house cutting her grass. I have repeated the cycle for the past three weeks. I'm proud of myself, I can now get all the equipment started by myself, although it’s still exhausting. I still haven’t built up enough capacity to finish with the edging, but this is where the answered prayer comes in.
One day, a kind gentleman from the lawn service that cuts the common areas in our subdivision saw me out cutting the grass. He waved, and I waved back as he was riding his lawn mower down the street to cut the grass by one of the ponds. By the time the first guy and his partner came back, I had just finished with the riding lawn mower. We all waved at each other. I went into the garage to get the walking mower, and one of the guys came back and edged the yard. I praised God, put my hands together, and told him thank you. I asked if I owed him anything and he said no. My husband wasn’t home at the time, but I told him what happened and he was happy that the lawn had been edged. I’m thankful that God answered my prayer, because edging wasn't on my list, but it was important to my husband.
We’re halfway done. Three more weeks, and he can have the yard back. I can’t wait until my time is over. Nothing teaches you respect for what someone else does until you have to do it yourself. From this experience, I’ll always respect the time and effort he puts in to keep the yard looking beautiful. I’m thankful that I can do it, but I’m grateful that he takes care of it.
God answers prayers. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 KJV
Do what you can do and allow God to do the rest. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 KJV
Appreciate what others are doing. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV
By doing these things…over time, I’ve been learning how to incorporate Christ into every area of my life.
Below are two books that God has inspired me to write. "The Flip Side" and "Blinded By Sight: The Heart Matters" both available now.
So… what’s this book about?
“The Flip Side” depicts the possible feelings and emotions of lesser-known Biblical characters as they navigated their lives in the shadows of the more popular characters in the Bible. While the Bible gives us snippets of their stories, we are usually left in the dark about their true motives, desires, and thoughts concerning the situations they are in. However, one certainty is that despite how little we know about these characters, they were often the catalysts to pivotal moments in the main characters’ lives.
So… what’s this book about?
Join me on a journey of self-discovery. “Blinded by Sight - The Heart Matters” is a compilation of short biblical devotions. These stories are not conclusive. They are depictions of how God is revealing my heart to me.
My prayer is, Lord, make it real for me, show me your heart, show me my heart, and give me the wisdom to change what hinders my relationship with you. I am learning that my perception is my biggest obstacle it affects my mind, what I think, and how I process my experiences. What I have experienced in my mind is expressed through my feelings and these experiences dictate my choices either consciously or subconsciously.
This devotional will allow you to explore and evaluate your past and present situations that have hindered you from seeing the heart of the matter. Simply put, look at the heart – it does matter. Your future depends on it!
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4
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