Lessons from the Lawn -- Part 2

Lessons from the Lawn -- Part 2

Listen to Lessons from the Lawn -- Part 2, by - Cindy Sproles


Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. – Romans 12:9

I got mad today. The riding mower wouldn’t shift into gear, the weed eater stalled, and I had grass up to my ankles. The flower beds were a mass (Yes mass, not mess). They were a mass of vines and weeds. Honeysuckle had swallowed the Mountain Laurel and morning glories, in all their glory, were overtaking the fence. My only option was the push mower.

My intentions were good. I’d shove the mower beneath the shrubs and cut the vines at the roots. Not a problem. Was I ever wrong.

The first pass under the bushes was fine and the second one, too, but then I hit a snag. The vines wrapped around the blade and stalled the lawnmower. I spent the next ten minutes untangling a clump of honeysuckle. If I started the mower once, I started it five more times. Start, push, stall. Start, push, stall. So, I got mad and gave up. I’d let my husband deal with the mess/mass. I did what any logical lawn care expert would do, I moved to the front yard to wreak havoc on the morning glory vines. To my surprise—the same scenario. Start, push, stall.

My patience was shot after the first five stalls and the unbelievable amount of honeysuckle. So I decided to pull the vines by hand. As a kid we used to pull honeysuckle blooms and sip the nectar. The flowers smelled wonderful and the nectar was sweet—but they’re deceptive little rascals. The fact remains, as pretty as they are, they’re still weeds. That’s how Satan is. He appears beautiful and sweet on the outside, encouraging us to drink from his cup, but beneath the surface he is nothing more than slithering evil. His aim is to stall us—stop us dead. When we let him fool us, let him in, then within hours his vines are covering us, choking us.

Don’t be fooled by the beauty of the vine—like I said, they’re deceptive little things. Hate what is evil and hold to what is good. Pull the vines before they cover you. Their roots are shallow and they pull from the soil with ease. Allow Christ His rightful place of honor and cling to Him.

Christian Devotions

Lessons from the Lawn -- Part 1

Listen to Lessons from the Lawn -- Part 1, by - Cindy Sproles

You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedoina and Achaia. – 1 Thessalonians 1: 6 & 7

I like to mow. Hop on the riding mower, kick it into third and mow. We have just over an acre of rolling sloped yard and for me, it’s a pleasure to mow up the hill, around the shady area, and back down. There’s quality thinking time on the seat of a mower.

But! My husband doesn’t like me to mow. Don’t misunderstand, he appreciates my efforts, but he’s not crazy about how I cut grass. Making a square around the yard is boring. There’s no adventure in traveling the straight path. When I mow, there’s a menagerie lines throughout the yard. It starts as a square. Before long, I hang a left and go at an angle (I’m thinking baseball field mowing). Later I may circle the trees. There’s no rhyme to what I do other that it’s fun. When I mow, my husband stands with a distraught look on his face, arms crossed, and cringing as I pass. I wave—he nods, then digs the toe of his tennis shoe into the grass.

When I see those beautifully cut baseball outfields on television, I want those same lines in my yard. I want the result, but most of the time I’m in too much of a hurry. All my efforts seem to yield is the smell of freshly cut grass and a hodge-podge of green crayon marks swirling across the yard.

Christ became the ultimate example for us and He wants us to strive to be like Him. Tender of heart, strong of spirit and determined of soul. He wants us to be an imitator. He lays the way clear for me to follow and as long as I stick to the map, the lines in my yard are pretty. It’s when I get that wild hair to hang a left that messes up the process. The bad part is—then I have to wait for the grass to grow so I can re-cut it the right way.

Every time I stray from His direction, I leave an impression on my soul that has to be grown out – worked on, groomed, and forgiven. That takes time, and sometimes it’s a painful time.

Be an imitator. Follow the way Christ has charted. Become a model for others to follow. Mow the right way, and others will want a yard like yours.

FIX WHAT'S BROKEN

Fix What's Broken

Listen to Fix What's Broken, by - Cindy Sproles

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:15 & 16

There’s a swing in our front yard by the pond. Its frame resembles a child’s swing set, only this one is wood. When we purchased it, there was a canvas canopy that covered the seat. I’ve enjoyed that swing, the creaking sound it makes as it sways, lulls me into a peaceful rest.

Then we had a storm. The wind behaved like an angry child, slipping its arms beneath the canvas, lifting the swing and tossing it across the yard. The frame that held the canvas broke.

We retrieved the swing, placed it in its place of honor by the pond, and enjoyed it again. It was a little banged up, but still great for relaxing. Over time the weather took its toll on my swing. The canvas seat made it a prime target to be flipped and knocked by heavy winds. Still we kept picking it up and placing it by the pond.

Until the other day. A nasty storm brushed through, once more making the swing a target. We watched as the frame tipped and rolled breaking the supports that had withstood five years worth of weather. When the rain passed we made our trek to retrieve the chair. This time the legs dangled and the supports were split. There wasn’t much we could do. The swing was ruined.

I thought how much I resembled that swing, and at the times I’ve been tossed and broken, wounded—still Christ picks me up and places me back in a spot of honor. I am such a sinner, why would He bother? Christ loves me. He has immeasurable patience, and he continues to lift me from failure.

I walked outside yesterday and my husband had repaired my swing. He stood, hands on his hips, shaking his head. “I think it’s time to trash this one and get a new one – maybe something metal this time.” I smiled, walked over to my swing and ran my hand across the canvas seat. Then I sat. “Careful, it’s not sturdy.” Tim said.

Once again the swing swayed gently, and I lay across its seat, the world coming and going with each squeak of the ropes. Thank goodness for the redeeming love of the Master who picks me up, dusts me clean, and lets me swing. He never gives up on this sinner. How fortunate am I?

Guest Devotionalist -- Pat Patterson

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? -- Matthew 5:46

A GOOD DRUNK

By: Pat Patterson



Yeah I'm a Christian, but I had me a good drunk the other night.....

No, really. Found him lying in the middle of the street, bump on his head and a bottle by his side. He was about fifty something, dressed in simple clothes and stinking like a sack of dirty laundry. With slurred speech and the sweet, slushy scent of cheap alcohol lingering on his breath, he was about as common as can get.....

.....a real good drunk.

I chuckled. I'm a paramedic. I've seen it all before. It should have been a simple call-pick him up, throw him on the stretcher, and give him a ride to the ER for observation, oh, and by the way, pray for him-but it wasn't that easy. He became belligerent. Then he wanted to fight me. Then he went and opened his mouth. I won't tell you what he said. Christians don't use words like that. Or do we?

Well before you go pointing your finger at me, that man's words hurt. He hurt my pride! He made me angry!! What was I supposed to do, just stand there and take it? No way! I flung the words right back at him as fast as I could. After all, he deserved it. I was only trying to help him. Right?

Well, we all know the answer to that question. I was wrong. Dead wrong.

You know I've been a Christian for over thirty years, and you'd think by now I'd know better, but for me it's not that simple. I seem to make one mistake after another, failing the Lord in so many areas of my life that recently a thought has been heavy on my mind:

What does it really mean to be a Christian?

Does it mean never missing church? Attending the right Bible studies? Smiling at other Christians, and never uttering a foul word? Well, I believe Jesus answered my question when He said, "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."

"But, Lord?" I say. "Are you serious? Even him?"

If I close my eyes, I can picture Jesus hanging on the cross. If I use my imagination, I can see myself kneeling at His bloody feet. But if I put aside my pride, my arrogance, and my selfish ambitions, I can imagine that man kneeling by my side-dirty clothes, stinking breath and all-and suddenly, suddenly, everything becomes crystal clear. We're both sinners. Christ died for both of us.

I failed that test last Saturday night, it's true, but Jesus used my failure to teach me a valuable lesson. He showed me what it really means to be a Christian, and He used a good drunk to do it.....

Christian Devotions




Pat Patterson is a novelist and an Instructor of Emergency Medical Services at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, NC. He's also an EMT-Paramedic with over 16 years of experience.

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"
Matthew 5:46

Do.... Do Not..... There is No Try

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17

I walked the mountain with my friend today. I asked if I could trail along, he said, "You can't keep up." I said, "Oh ye, of little faith."

The path was steep. Very steep and my legs held out, but my lungs…that was a different matter. He sprinted up an incline, I crawled and all along, though I couldn't see him, he kept shouting, "You dead yet?"

I had to stop and rest, having bad lungs isn't an excuse－it's a physical fact. But all the while, I kept saying, "You go ahead. I'll get there." And I did. Eventually.

The last part of the walk was a detour. You see, my friend, I think felt sorry for me, so he altered the trail we took. But it was a pretty neat detour, because the reward was sitting beneath a huge overhanging boulder looking at the creation of the Father, talking about the wonders that God managed to make in seven short days.

That climb was a hard one and half way up I was crying to the Father to give me air. I was choking. "Just get me to the top. I'll do it however you want -－ even if it's on my hands and knees." And you know, there was point, it was on my hands and knees. I was frustrated and a little mad the walk was so hard, but wow －the reward worth the crawl.

Sometimes we have to go to our hands and knees before the righteousness comes. Growing in the Father isn't easy. He tends to sprint the steep sections of the walk and leave us behind. That's a little scary, looking up and not seeing the guide. Still in the distance, we hear Him calling－we simply have to listen. Learning the meaning of His love may occasionally mean crawling alone, becoming submissive to His will. Something we struggle and wiggle our way clear. But when bend at the knees, press our palms to the ground there is traction and there is success.

So, I lost a bet today--sorta. I made the efforts. To quote Yoda from Star Wars, "Do....Do Not....There is no try." We either get to the business of knowing God or we don't. There is no try. Is your walk always standing or do you crawl? Trust me, crawling helps. It's a slow process, nothing good is easy, but when you do, the reward is worth the effort.

Guest Devotionalist -- Sue Payne

"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7

Changed Before My Eyes

By: Sue Payne


I remember attending a certain church service about ten years ago. It happened to be the weekend the Christian Motorcycle Association held their annual conference and conducted their meetings and activities at the church. Rick, the head of this particular chapter, was slotted to give the message at each of the Sunday morning services.

As he was introduced and stepped to the platform, my mind immediately began to judge. He wore black leather pants, boots, and vest. His hair was long and curly. His face weathered and scarred. He was not attractive by my standards and I wondered what the pastor of the church was thinking! Sadly, I sat there feeling almost threatened by his presence.....then he began to speak.

As he shared about his life of abuse, neglect, violence, drugs, and alcohol, pity began to push out my feelings of judgment. No wonder this man has such a tough exterior, I thought. His testimony continued as he recalled how God had pursued him through "the valley of the shadow of death" and how his grandmother had never missed a day covering him with prayer. At this point, this tough character of a man began to cry.

The threatening presence I had felt just minutes before suddenly was replaced by the presence of a "Holiness" I had never experienced anything like this. Literally, this man changed in front of my eyes. Here was a man who truly knew Jesus. It was then that I first realized what it was like to really see the "Jesus" in someone. I was in the presence of the Lord because Jesus had chosen to testify His love for me through Rick.

You may be thinking; How can a person's appearance change before my eyes? This is possible, but only when you look at an individual's heart through the eyes of Christ. God opened my eyes that day.

I've heard it said that the heart of a matter is a matter of the heart. The next time you find yourself judging another person's character or appearance, remember that we are all made in the image of God. Ask the Lord to show you how to look beyond the outer appearance and see the "Jesus" within.






Sue Payne is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in home schooling newsletters and church news bulletins. Most recently one of her articles took second place at the Delaware Christian Writer's Conference. She is experienced in curriculum planning and design and uses her writing skills to encourage and teach others. Sue lives in Delaware, is married, and has two boys whom she home schooled for a total of fourteen years.