Lessons From My Yard

I am a ponderer.  Sometimes its a blessing that breathes fresh life to my soul and sometimes it's the death of me that breeds anxiety and leaves me with the woulda, shoulda, coulda syndrome.  Today it was a blessing.

For the first time in over 2 months I was able to hop on the good ol' rider mower and take it for a spin in the back yard.  I've always loved mowing the lawn for several reasons.  It brings back memories of me and my dad at his lake house.  We spent time mowing the lawn together so our chairs could sit at the point of the lake where we fished without having our legs itch from the high grass.  Ooh, and the smell, there's something about the aroma of fresh cut grass that gives you that Saturday morning kind of feeling.  I'm also a fan of clean lines, and quite frankly there's nothing like a freshly mowed and edged yard for that.  Lastly, and probably my favorite, mowing allows me to ponder.  The loud, constant roar of the mower just clears my head and allows my mind to wander.  I have really missed my mower after these long weeks of recovery from an ankle surgery. And today, I just couldn't wait to take her out for a spin.

My husband, on the other hand, is not a lover of the lawn.  He could care less about clean lines and has no need to edge a yard (oh the travesty!).  He's a genius in everything else and is always my go to guy.  I totally appreciate all the other areas where he is strong.  The lawn, however, is simply not one of them. Now, before I mislead you, I am a mower of the lawn, not an arborist or a gardener.  My thumb is hardly green.  It really just comes down to the relaxation and the clean lines. 

So, all that being said, let me share with you some of what the lawn has taught me today.  

Lesson 1. Grow where you are planted! Reach for the Son!

You see this tree? 

Well, it's a good tree, granted I've forgotten what kind, but I do know we bought it and we planted it on purpose.  Clearly we planted it improperly.  We assumed that our tree would get the sun it needed in the spot we chose, turns out we were wrong.  Our poor little tree has been so desperate for the sun that it has literally bent itself in half and is growing sideways.  I can't bear to move it because I so appreciate its effort.  Today, this tree has reminded me that as long as I am reaching for the Son that it really doesn't matter where I am planted.  Sometimes we get uprooted and moved around to places that are darker than we would like, BUT, just like this little tree seems to know, the Son is always there to be found.  If we reach for the Son then we will be nourished and provided for even if it means we have to grow sideways for a while. "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow" 1 Corinthians 3:7 

Lesson 2. Do not be deceived.  Sin duplicates itself quicker than you think.

Now, do you see this tree? 

This is a Mimosa tree.  Look at those beautiful flowers, so rich and so full, right?  Wrong, this is a deceptive tree. The beauty of this tree is a distraction.  It keeps you from noticing that it is dropping little seeds all over that are re-birthing trees just like it all over your yard.  

It doesn't take long for these little duplicates to choke out all of the truly beautiful trees you desire. This here Mimosa is a sin tree.  It's deceiving, attractive and appears as if it is something that you want.  It doesn't provide beauty, it provides extra work and many challenges. Uproot this bad boy and get it out of your yard but be mindful that as soon as you do you can be sure there are more lurking.  Stay on guard and do not let Mimosas over run your yard and do not let sin over run your life.  Uproot them ASAP because they breed and multiply before you ever even realize the seed has been planted.  " Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows". Galatians 6:7

Lesson 3. There is not much appreciation in things unearned.  After all, look how much we take His grace for granted?

This picture speaks for itself.  

Although the sweet berries are not ripe, they soon will be.  As sweet and delicious as they are I can not just jump right in and grab them.  I have to work my way to them through the thorns.  Just like in life, the sweet things usually must be earned. Entitlement says they are ours for the taking but appreciation comes when we've earned them. "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him". Colossians 3:17

Lesson 4.  Remain in the Vine and your garden will bear fruit.

Ooh, this one's a little embarrassing but also speaks for itself. 

(Now keep in mind, I've been post op for over 2 months).  A garden unkempt dies and grows weeds.  The same is true for our families and our marriages.  If we never fertilize them, water them or pull out the weeds they too will eventually die. Gardens are no joke, they require work if you want some fruit. The same goes for our marriages, if you want to reap a harvest you better get busy sowing the seeds!  "Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" John 15:4. 

Lesson 5. If you are in Christ, you are made brand new! 

This is our new addition to our deck.

Brand new wood sticks out like a sore thumb, especially when it's next to the old decking. Uhhh, shocker! It's supposed to!  When we are made new we also should be set apart.  That's the beauty of the design.  It is in our newness that the world can see it's own need to be made new. If the new wood looked like the old then we'd never even know it was new! Same goes with our lives. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here"! 2 Corinthians 5:17

And finally...

Bonus Lesson. Appreciate your non clean line loving spouse!

My hubby may not love the lawn but the man can rock a grill! Thanks babe for tolerating my clean line crazies!