Mowing the Lawn

I love to mow the lawn. As a mom of three boys I used to say it was the only thing as a mom that I could do that lasted longer than 30 minutes! Now, as they grow older, sometimes it's the most peaceful hour I can get twice a week!

But, it's more than that. Mowing the lawn gives me a chance to enjoy the many little pleasures God gives us every day that I am too busy to notice. Take for instance the smells. There is nothing like the smell of fresh cut grass. It's just a good earthy smell. Even with that smell of gas that gets mixed in. It brings back memories of summer days as a kid when I would run around barefoot, playing tag or hide and go seek or just lay down on the grass and watch the clouds go by. It reminds of camping with my family and we'd just lounge around on a blanket or quilt and read in the heat of the afternoon.

In our backyard we also have lily of the valley, a rosebush, peonies, and a pine tree. And even though last week I tried piercing my ear on the rose bush and everytime I have to mow around that stupid tree my blood pressure rises, they still smell good and if I concentrate on that, I'm amazed at all of God's creation.

On beautiful spring days like today, I'm thankful for the cool spring breeze tickling my skin as I walk along and for the magnificant oak trees we have around our house that provide shade. As I pass my flower beds I can see which ones are surviving the early spring freeze and which ones need split or weeded. I can check on the rhubarb and my mouth waters at thoughts of rhubarb jam and other treats that we make each year from the tart vegetable (fruit?).

And don't forget the mowing clothes. This is my chance to get out that favorite pair of jeans that are faded so much they are almost white, but oh so comfortable. Don't forget that favorite roomy t-shirt too. I always wear athletic shoes when I mow, (to protect the toes) and no socks. It can get a little warm, but when you pull your toes out and that wonderful cool air hits them, ahhh.

I've been reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and it really makes you think about so many things we do (or don't do) in our Christian walk. One of them is taking the time for simple pleasures and enjoying God's beautiful creation. If you aren't familiar with the book, it is written as if two demons were communicating to one another. The letters you read are from Uncle Screwtape, the older, wiser, demon, to his nephew, Wormwood, as he tries to keep a human from God. And once the man becomes a Christian, how to keep him from forming a relationship with God. Chapter 13 starts out: "My Dear Wormwood, It seems to me that you take a great many pages to tell a very simple story. The long and short of it is you have let the man slip through your fingers." and it continues to tell how.

"And now for your blunders. On your own showing you first of all allowed the patient to read a book he really enjoyed, because he enjoyed it and not in order to make clever remarks about it to his new friends. In the second place, you allowed him to walk down to the old mill and have tea there- a walk through country he really likes, and taken alone. In other words you allowed him two real positive Pleasures."

The letter goes on to explain to Wormwood that the book and walk were dangerous because it gave him time to feel he was coming back to himself. That to detach him from the Enemy (God) Wormwood must detach man from himself.

I couldn't help but think about us today. We are so busy anymore! We rush here and there doing everything we think we have to do until we are exhausted. And it's not as if we aren't involved with church, sometimes, it's church that exhausts us! There are Sundays when I wish I could just go to church and that's it. No social committee, no nursery, no teaching Sunday School, no announcements to make for VBS, etc. And rarely does that all happen on one Sunday, but occasionally, they can all collide. Then I have to step back and evaluate if I'm too involved. There are many Christians like this. They get so busy serving God, they forgot about WHO they serve!

So, I want to ask you, when did you last do something enjoyable? When did you last mow the lawn and enjoy it? Have you just gone for a walk with your family and had no goal other than to catch up and talk with each other? What was the last book you read for enjoyment? Take time this week to enjoy God's creation and the simple pleasures He gives us each day. Refresh yourself and your walk with Him.

Psalm 121 says, "I lift up my eyes unto the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." When was the last time you lifted up your eyes from the treadmill of life you're running on? Take time today.