The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Teachers (07/12/04)
TITLE: Mr. Lawn Tractor
By Brenda Fletcher
07/18/04
 LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
 SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
 SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND
I have had many teachers in my life so far, and I am sure there will be many more as long as the good Lord allows me to stay here. However, I was taken by surprise when God choose this unlikely candidate to teach me a lesson that would stay with me always, a lawn tractor.
My husband usually takes care of mowing our lawn. I never really gave it much thought. I took care of my flower bed, did some occasional feeding and weeding and my contribution was complete. One week, we were both given a small change to adjust to, when Tom was asked to work a split shift. This meant he didn’t have the time after work to do his usual chores. Trying to be a good wife, I volunteered to finish mowing the lawn one morning. All I had to do was ride on the lawn tractor and steer.
I got on the tractor, confident in my ability to complete the task. I pulled the little knob that lowered the blades to cut the grass and put my foot on the peddle with the forward pointing arrow on it, and away I went. As I started down the first row I was to mow, the tractor started making a different noise. Completely stumped, I turned to look at Tom with a puzzled look on my face. He smiled and walked to the mower.
“The blades have disengaged,” he explained, “you need to pull the knob again.”
I did just that, and again, away I went. I didn’t go far though. The blades disengaged again. This happened two more times before I got back to where Tom was waiting for me.
“Why does that keep happening?” I asked.
“You must not weigh enough,” he said matter-of-factly.
Although I may never qualify for a heavy weight bout, I feel relatively safe in a good stiff wind!
“What do you mean, I don’t weigh enough?” I asked surprised.
“You may weigh enough,” he laughed, “but you have to keep your weight centered on the seat. Otherwise, the mower thinks you have gotten off.”
Now, I am not an expert on lawn tractors, so I took his word for it.
I tried to keep my weigh on the seat as I dodged tree limbs and bushes. It was harder than it sounds.
As I mowed I couldn’t help but think of my walk with God. Even though I may have to dodge a tree branch or bush, I had to keep my eyes on the Lord and not get my weight off the seat.
That is how I met Mr. Lawn Tractor, and sat in his class one day.