EVERYTHING I REALLY KNOW ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN I
LEARNED WHILE MOWING THE LAWN
By Sherii Parrett
Roger is a bi-vocational Pastor of a new church plant. In
his spare time, he teaches Bible Studies, does Outreach, travels to
conferences, works with other churches, maintains our house and vehicles, and
spends time with me and our family of 5 children, including their spouses and
our 11 grandchildren.
As a surprise to my loving husband who has been out of town,
I decided to “do him a favor” and mow our lawn.
Admittedly, I began my mission with an agenda. My love language is
quality time. If I did his chore, he could have more time – to spend with me,
of course.
I began to reflect on steps I took for this endeavor and I
began to think about how it all relates to the life of a Christian. I decided
to take inventory of all the comparisons I made.
I MUST DECIDE TO DO IT
Sometimes, when some begin to look toward this Christian
walk, they have an agenda. Maybe they want time with great people. Maybe they
want to gain the attention of someone to whom they are attracted. Maybe they
want to please their parents. So, they “make the decision” to go to church to
become a Christian.
Psalm 14:2
The LORD looks down from heaven on the
sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
I MUST BELIEVE I CAN DO IT
If I had consulted the opinion of others about mowing this
lawn, they might have told me that I WASNT a lawnmowing type of person. They may have said that I couldn’t do it. I might have believed them.
But, today I wanted to be a "Lawn Mower". It was like that when I came to church. No one
believed that I would make it. But, one day, I decided that if others could do
it, so could I!
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he
is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him
I MUST LOCATE IT
It should be easy enough to just show up, right? I showed up
in the garage where I knew the mower was. Sadly, once I located it, I did not
suddenly become a lawn mower. I didn’t even know how to start the thing. I
began to tell myself I knew nothing about mowing a lawn.
Proverbs 2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words,
and hide my commandments with thee;2 So that thou incline thine ear
unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;3 Yea, if thou
criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;4 If
thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;5 Then
shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord,
and find the knowledge of God
I MUST STICK WITH MY DECISION TO DO IT
I saw it was going to take some effort to get this machine
out. My husband had wedged it perfectly into a space to fit our cars in the
garage. I had to maneuver, twist, and even banged my ankle on a chair we have
stored out there. The weed eater was wrapped around the earplugs and wedged
into the handle of the mower. You know what; this was becoming more of a hassle
than I anticipated.
This reminds me that some talk themselves out of being a
Christian before they even start.
When we decide to be a Christian we will need to make the
decision to commit. Regardless of the situations we will have to maneuver to
get started. We may have to ask our boss to adjust our work schedules to be at
church. We may have to get out of bed on Sunday Morning. But one thing is
certain; we have to stick with it.
I MUST NOT CARE THAT OTHERS SEE ME IN OPERATION
Isaiah 50:7
For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
Now, mind you, the car was still in the garage. The garage
door was shut. I didn’t want the neighbors watching my feeble attempts. But, as
I thought about it, I really didn’t care if anyone knew I was green at this
machine. I just wanted the task complete! Maybe a neighbor would help me! So
now, I was committed, I brought the machine out into the drive not caring who knew!
I pulled the cord - nothing. I realized
I TRULY was ignorant about operating this machine.
I MUST CONSULT THE
MANUAL
When I first came to a church, I literally knew nothing about
how to perform as a Christian. Everyone made it look so easy. But, I knew they
had to have been born knowing. I also believed all Christians were equipped
with angel wings, not shoulder blades. It seemed as though they were all
perfect. I now know they had to start somewhere. In the beginning of my
Christian walk I had to consult “the manual – the Bible”. In this lawn mowing
case, “the manual” was E-How on my phone. It said make sure you have a good combination
of gas and oil.
2 Timothy
2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I MUST USE THE PRIME START
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after
that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses
unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth.
There is a primer button, the manual says. Push it and it
will release the powerful gas into the lines. I came to an altar and got the
HOLY GHOST, it became the start up for the flow of my desire to live for him. But
there was more to keeping this engine running. There is more to being a
Christian than getting the Holy Ghost. I may have plenty of gas and add oil and
find that the motor still isn’t running. It will take more than believing in
Christianity to become a Christian. I have to add the oil of prayer to
communicate with God.
I MUST HOLD ON TO THE HANDLE
After the engine was primed, I had to pull the cord and hold
the handle at the same time in order to start it. If I let go of the handle,
the engine stops. It is a safety mechanism. If I let go of Jesus, I cannot
operate as a Christian.
I CAN MOW
Once I got a handle literally on this start up process, the
job begins. I know I can finish what I have started out to do. I took off out
of the drive straight into the yard and set my course.
I NEED FORGIVENESS OF THE BRETHREN
I decided to back up and immediately the blades ate the
bristles of the brush that was attached for a grooming feature. UH OH I have
now destroyed my husband’s mower. I know I meant well, but, I have created
damage. I will have to say I am sorry. I hope he will forgive me. When we
offend, we must get forgiveness. We must be quick to give it because we want it
when we need it. The good thing is, the whole time I messed up that attachment,
I never let go of the handle. I am still moving in the right direction to
complete what I started.
Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into
temptation; but deliver us from evil.
I WILL NOT BACK UP
Now, I do not understand why the attachment was located
where it was, but, I do know I am not about to back up again. Some things we
may not understand why not to do them. But, we understand that if we do them,
we can cause damage. So don’t. This decision not to back up did not make it
easy to finish mowing because I had to move in one direction only. But, I did
to keep from damaging my machine.
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man,
having put his hand to the plough, and looking
back, is fit for the kingdom of
God.
I AM NOT PERFECT BUT IM STRIVING
My husband mows diagonal rows and they are perfect. One this
way, one, that. It looks great. Ok, my rows are going straight. I am not
perfect. I’ve already made mistakes and I just got started! I will not be like him.
My mowing style proved to be first straight lines, then swirls, then
triangles…oh, I can tell you I would have had him in a tizzy if he had seen
this. But, this is my effort and I know next time I will do better. It is easy
to watch a new Christian and criticize. The important thing is that progress is
being made.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus.
I WILL LEARN FROM OTHERS AND I WILL TEACH
Sometimes there is a better method. When someone is trying,
I hope I recognize the effort and never criticize. I don’t want to hold back
helpful knowledge, though. I just need to give it in love. Honestly, I wish
someone was there to show me a better way. Sometimes those who have done this
awhile do have some tips and tricks. I remember when I learned about
stewardship and tithing and my finances were better. I learned about fasting
and strongholds in my life were broken.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the
words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
ROCKS HURT
So you are moving along and not paying attention and you run
over a rock and it kicks out and you find yourself or someone bleeding. Be
careful of words and actions. They will cause damage.
Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that
believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his
neck, and he were cast into the sea.
OTHERS MAKE MISTAKES, TOO
As I mowed the lawn and began to make some tricky turns, I
saw a few dents and bangs on the house where someone else had hit while making
the same maneuvers. I had never really noticed it. I am glad because I may have
pointed it out and asked it to be repaired. Now, I can say, “until you have
mowed the path of a person, don’t judge the dents and chips they make while
mowing that path”.
Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you
again.
YOU WILL SWEAT AND YOU WILL GET DIRTY
Mowing the lawn at 10 a.m. on a hot August morning is not a
stroll through the park. I had the proper attire, but, when it was over.
Suffice it to say, I still stunk. I had to take a shower. My favorite tennis
shoes turned green and went straight in the washer with bleach. I know they
will never be the same. When we walk in this flesh, we are going to need to be
washed. EVERY day we walk in it, EVERY day we need to wash it. Pray every day.
1
Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
BE THANKFUL THAT THE LAWN IS BEAUTIFUL
Everyone who drives down my street will never consider all
that I know went into making the lawn the condition it is in, today. But, I
know. I appreciate its beauty even more that I did it. But, I need to learn to
appreciate the one who does it the most.
We need to be grateful for everyone’s toil, especially when we benefit
from it. Don’t take it for granted that everything falls into place that you
enjoy at church. Be mindful of those who put the effort into making it the way
it is.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be
counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
THE LAWN WILL NEED MOWED AGAIN
Just because the lawn got mowed today…doesn’t mean that the
whole process will not have to be repeated again. We have to do this over and
over until we move away. You get what I mean by this, right. Be a CHRISTIAN and
do it until you die!
Baby Easton's mommy and daddy were able to hold him for the first time! What a blessing to FINALLY hold their little Champion in their arms! The Lord is helping him! Many prayers have been said for Easton and his family!
Prayers for Pastor Surgery are being answered! The surgeon's report revealed that the two polyps which were removed from Pastor Roger Parrett's mouth and vocal chord were benign. Praise Jesus!
Please pray for Pastor Roger Parrett's surgery on Wed., Dec. 14 early a.m. (see Pastor's communique on this blog.
On 11.11.11 we posted prayer requests for baby Easton and Bill. BOTH SITUATIONS ARE REMARKABLY BETTER! Jesus is HEALER!
We are excited about our very first baptism at United Pentecostals in Platte City, MO next Sunday!
Tracy Leach will be in town the first Sunday in December. We have her scheduled to give a testimony of her husband, Gil's, healing of cancer. We are still rejoicing for the answered prayers. God is STILL a miracle working God!
