Mowing Grass and God’s Direction

By Hally Franz –

I spent quality time with our Craftsman a few weeks ago. Though noisy and a bit rough, he has a powerful presence and can get the job done. And, he provides an opportunity for some solace and reflection in the process. No, I’m not referring to an extra-long devotion time with the Father of us all. Nor did I hang-out with a handyman my husband and I happen to have on retainer. We don’t, by the way.

No, I just rode our riding lawn mower for a few hours. Between my husband and sixteen-year-old son, it’s rare that I find a reason to do that. And, while I know mowing gets tedious by summer’s end, the time spent lapping the yard can be quite nice. The lush layer and smell of cut grass, the warm breeze on your face, the roar of the engine extinguishing all other sounds – it leaves you with only your thoughts.

When I was a kid, I ran the riding lawn mower. My father did the trimming and weed-whacking. I remember when he first demonstrated the task. He walked along as I traced the route prepared for me, and, if I missed a blade, he would point and yell “skip.” Methodical in all he did, he trained me well.

As I mowed our yard recently, I occasionally lost focus, so I had to look back to ensure I’d not missed anything along the way. I’d shift in my seat and check over my shoulder to make sure I didn’t leave sprigs and a job undone when my mind drifted.

Most of us try our best to make the right moves as we progress in life. We strive to cover our bases and seize opportunities. We work to maintain focus and attention, so that our misses and missteps along the way are minimal. But, as humans, that doesn’t always happen.

My reliable mowing machine relies on me to execute everything right. That won’t happen 100% of the time, in mowing grass or doing life. However, when it doesn’t, we have the assurance and insurance only He can provide.

If we keep our eyes on Him in our daily lives, we will make better choices. His guidance helps us do that, and, when we do falter and our minds wander, He is there to help us backtrack, retrace, redo or correct any problems we’ve made along the way.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, direct my steps today and every day, so I might make right choices. May those choices bring opportunities for me to serve and glorify You. And, Father, when I lose my focus on You, please pull me back and help me make right my misdeeds along my way.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).