This is #8 of a nine-part series.
If you'd like to skip to a different chapter,
Just click on the My Journey series
under LABELS (Top of the page, on the right side of your screen).
My next post is coming soon. It'll be another in my
Commentary On Our Culture series - A piece on the Green Movement
and our relationship with the environment!
If you'd like to skip to a different chapter,
Just click on the My Journey series
under LABELS (Top of the page, on the right side of your screen).
My next post is coming soon. It'll be another in my
Commentary On Our Culture series - A piece on the Green Movement
and our relationship with the environment!
It's a picture-perfect Saturday morning and I'm pacing the concrete floor of my garage. The Sun's rays have cleared the tree tops and the long shadows are in full retreat; they're all that remain of the previous night - that and a heavy dew. Ah yes, the dew - millions of tiny droplets sparkling in the dawn's early light. Their collective moisture has given the countryside a good soaking; it's the reason for my delay but soon they too will burn away and the conditions will be ideal. The turf will be dry and several hours will pass before the midday heat sets in; several hours 'til the kids (with a little help from Duchess, our knuckle-headed dog) have strewn their bicycles, toys, and various articles of clothing across the property.
Name your diagnosis if you're so inclined: A clinical disorder, a malady of the brain or maybe I was dropped at birth. Whatever the reason, I'm one of those odd-ball individuals who actually enjoys mowing the lawn. For some - probably most fellas, cutting the grass is nothing more than a long, dirty and sweaty hike between the tool-shed and his favorite chair, cold beverage, and the ol' ballgame on TV. For me, it's another outlet for creative expression. Did I just write that? Yeah-yeah, I know - it sounds like a puddle of dribble from some tofu-eating, art festival type. So... for the sake of perspective, let me mention that I also fell trees, split wood, own a gun, and know how to clean & gut a fish! (Okay, I admit it - I like art festivals too. I guess my skull is just a left brain/right brain battle ground!)
Now where was I? Oh yes - mowing the lawn. You can tell the difference between the job done by a guy like me and the one done by some Joe whose mind never really left the family room - his brain remained parked in front of a large plasma TV the whole time. Meandering back and forth, Joe is not the least bit concerned about patterns or straight lines as he leaves clumps of wet clippings in his wake. After all, if he waited 'til the turf was dry or took some extra time to perfect his technique, he might miss the first couple of innings - I guess it's just a simple question of priorities. As for me - well, I like ballgames & beverages too but I also want my work to have good form; to demonstrate attention to detail. After the equipment is put away and the clippings are swept off the porch; with the scent of fresh-cut grass yet lingering in the air, I walk the land I've just groomed and find the straight lines and consistent patterns pleasing to my senses. What I behold resembles...well, it resembles one of the ball fields on TV (that is if you squint & look past the dandelions!)
To cut a straight path, I don't focus my attention on the ground directly in front of me but rather that which is far afield. I choose a stationary point in the distance - a tree or maybe a fence-post and fix my gaze upon it. Proceeding toward the distant object, I sight it in with the center of my machine, I do not deviate from my course nor do I take my eyes off of my mark. I reach the end of the run and come-about. Craning my neck, I look back upon my work and give myself a nod of approval. The four and a half foot wide swath I had just carved across the property couldn't have been straighter had it been laid out with a giant ruler! The remaining round-trips across our parcel are accomplished with an equal amount of care & precision until I've completed the job. A few hours later and I'm relaxing in my hammock while enjoying a few moments of quiet reflection; giving some thought to this juncture in my life - this juncture and lines in the grass.
My thoughts these days are largely occupied by the difficulties we're grappling with. Questions, elusive answers, agonizingly slow answers... My waking hours - sometimes, even my sleeping hours are spent mulling over our options and trying to redeem my time as best I know how. I must confess that some days I'm frustrated to the point that I feel I may burst - like my innards are about to reach critical mass and a melt-down is imminent! Some days I sit in quiet circumspection and a wave of sadness overwhelms me. We're losing our home - I'm not sure when or how we'll secure a new residence though we must accomplish this soon. I've not yet settled the matter of whether we'll even be able to remain in this state! There's this nagging sense I can't seem to shake - that following close behind me are the hounds of regret for whatever decisions I make.
Folks, you look for answers on the phone, in the mail box and while negotiating with others. You hone your skills, read books and scripture and search your hearts and minds for wisdom and discernment. You bend the knee and beseech the Lord for providence - for guidance. And yet while you're looking in one direction, God sometimes drops a profound answer right in your lap - while gently swinging in your hammock with grass clippings still in your hair!
Look far afield! Don't focus on the conditions around you; don't become entangled in what lies on your left or calls to you from your right. Never mind what's behind you and don't make a habit of navel-gazing. Rather, fix your gaze on your destination! To do otherwise will invariably lead you to stray off course. The bumps and irregularities in the turf are inevitable as you press on but they must not become your focus - note them; adjust to them but do not allow them to become a distraction! Prayerfully consider your goals and apply all due diligence and tenaciously set out to achieve them!
Just a quick up-date:
Name your diagnosis if you're so inclined: A clinical disorder, a malady of the brain or maybe I was dropped at birth. Whatever the reason, I'm one of those odd-ball individuals who actually enjoys mowing the lawn. For some - probably most fellas, cutting the grass is nothing more than a long, dirty and sweaty hike between the tool-shed and his favorite chair, cold beverage, and the ol' ballgame on TV. For me, it's another outlet for creative expression. Did I just write that? Yeah-yeah, I know - it sounds like a puddle of dribble from some tofu-eating, art festival type. So... for the sake of perspective, let me mention that I also fell trees, split wood, own a gun, and know how to clean & gut a fish! (Okay, I admit it - I like art festivals too. I guess my skull is just a left brain/right brain battle ground!)
Now where was I? Oh yes - mowing the lawn. You can tell the difference between the job done by a guy like me and the one done by some Joe whose mind never really left the family room - his brain remained parked in front of a large plasma TV the whole time. Meandering back and forth, Joe is not the least bit concerned about patterns or straight lines as he leaves clumps of wet clippings in his wake. After all, if he waited 'til the turf was dry or took some extra time to perfect his technique, he might miss the first couple of innings - I guess it's just a simple question of priorities. As for me - well, I like ballgames & beverages too but I also want my work to have good form; to demonstrate attention to detail. After the equipment is put away and the clippings are swept off the porch; with the scent of fresh-cut grass yet lingering in the air, I walk the land I've just groomed and find the straight lines and consistent patterns pleasing to my senses. What I behold resembles...well, it resembles one of the ball fields on TV (that is if you squint & look past the dandelions!)
My wife & I with our two oldest kids attended
this game at Comerica Park back in 2007.
Now that's a lawn!
Aha - dry at last! I ease my 54" Bobcat mower from the garage, adjust a few settings, and pull the starter cord. A pair of morning doves frantically flap their wings, making a hasty retreat from their roost as the powerful engine awakens from its seven-day slumber. After a couple of trips around the perimeter of the entire property, I'm now ready for my first pass across the field and I want it to be perfectly straight. This will be the standard for all the rows which follow it. Neither Joe nor the morning doves appreciate the effort but to me, it's a work of art; the first brush-strokes on a two-acre canvass!
My thoughts these days are largely occupied by the difficulties we're grappling with. Questions, elusive answers, agonizingly slow answers... My waking hours - sometimes, even my sleeping hours are spent mulling over our options and trying to redeem my time as best I know how. I must confess that some days I'm frustrated to the point that I feel I may burst - like my innards are about to reach critical mass and a melt-down is imminent! Some days I sit in quiet circumspection and a wave of sadness overwhelms me. We're losing our home - I'm not sure when or how we'll secure a new residence though we must accomplish this soon. I've not yet settled the matter of whether we'll even be able to remain in this state! There's this nagging sense I can't seem to shake - that following close behind me are the hounds of regret for whatever decisions I make.
Folks, you look for answers on the phone, in the mail box and while negotiating with others. You hone your skills, read books and scripture and search your hearts and minds for wisdom and discernment. You bend the knee and beseech the Lord for providence - for guidance. And yet while you're looking in one direction, God sometimes drops a profound answer right in your lap - while gently swinging in your hammock with grass clippings still in your hair!
Look far afield! Don't focus on the conditions around you; don't become entangled in what lies on your left or calls to you from your right. Never mind what's behind you and don't make a habit of navel-gazing. Rather, fix your gaze on your destination! To do otherwise will invariably lead you to stray off course. The bumps and irregularities in the turf are inevitable as you press on but they must not become your focus - note them; adjust to them but do not allow them to become a distraction! Prayerfully consider your goals and apply all due diligence and tenaciously set out to achieve them!
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"
For it is He who delivers you from the
snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you, Nor will any
plague come near your tent.
For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent
you will trample down.
"Because he has loved Me,
therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high,
because he has known My name.
"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
"With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation."
Psalm 91 (NASV)
One of my readers asked me to post a photo
of our lawn so here it is. From up in the
tree-house, you can't tell it's just a bunch
of country weeds!
My Bob CatThanks to all of you for your prayers and kind words.
Just a quick up-date:
- My household is in the early stages of bankruptcy and foreclosure.
- My brother and I have formed a new company and have been operating it since the end of the first quarter.
- Thus far we've been able to keep the company operating in positive territory.
- We took a 50% pay-cut in order to allow our new venture to gain some momentum.
- We must be able to grow the company steadily in a tough market in order to restore our incomes to the level we need to support our families - a tall order but there have been some encouraging trends in the past few weeks so we'll see.
- Housing for my family is a critical issue and we're exploring a few good possibilities.
- At times, the stress takes its toll but God is using these times to strengthen us - of this I have no doubt!
