Yes, it is a chore. And most chores are not ones that you look forward to doing. Ever since I became old enough to walk behind a lawn mower, it became a job that was mostly mine. Often as a young mower-er, I walked behind the mower in my bare feet. No one then told me how dangerous it could be. I have to assume that my parents thought I was saving my shoes and that my feet could be cleaned far easier than any shoe could be cleaned. Going barefoot was just a fact of life back then. There were many days that I wore feet of green for days on end because I only half washed them without that deep scrub that I needed to do. I was a farm girl through and through. And Iowa summers were often hot and dry at the same time they were humid and had surprise afternoon thunderstorms. Yes, my childhood memories of lawn mowing are good ones. Later, pushing a mower changed to riding a mower. I was still happy with the weekly mowing job. In those early days of riding mowers, the mower we had was not a very fancy mower and lacked some of the amenities today’s mowers have. Once, I encountered a bumble bee. Bees and I don’t like to keep close company! At least that is the way I see it, today and back then. One day, while mowing, a bee and I became too close to each other. Of course I chose to put distance between us. So I jumped off the mower and ran. The mower kept right on traveling with no driver as if it was a Waymo mower! But there were no Waymo’s back then nor robotic mowers. To this day, my family likes to remind me of that incident and find great amusement in its retelling.
There are several “chores” that give me satisfaction. Washing dishes is one, I enjoy seeing them get clean and done! I can see the results. Folding clean laundry is another! They look and smell so nice, all folded and ready to put away. Mowing is another—I love seeing the round and round patterns getting smaller and smaller. I love the neatness of the freshly mowed yard. And while other jobs used to give me satisfaction such as pulling weeds, these days with painful joints and worn bones, I do not have the satisfaction that I used to have. Pain overrides my satisfaction. Scientifically being surrounded by plants and sunlight helps lower cortisol levels, making the mowing time feel like “me-time” away from daily anxieties. And it is also known that there is a physical reward. Getting physical activity outside provides a great metabolic boost and mental boost I’ve been told. Both very valuable to well-being. Needing to mow lawn is a good reason for getting boosts.
You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart (Psalm 104:14-15).
Every week we get to sit back and watch God grow the grass, every day growing it taller and taller. If there comes a time for any reason that I can’t mow, I kinda’, sorta’ miss mowing it. It even makes me bit nostalgic. I find myself longing for those good old barefoot mowing days. Yard work is a controversial topic. Some view it as a tedious burden or chore, while many find it to be an excellent stress-reliever, a form of active meditation, and a great way to get outside and exercise. It is not tedious for me. I agree it can be a stress-reliever, and even a time to meditate. Riding along on the mowers can help to peak my creativity. I often find myself singing to the mower. At one time I copied the words to a hymn and put them on the hood of the mower. I had a great resolution to learn the hymn by heart and add even more. I confess that I didn’t exactly become a master of hymn memory. Music doesn’t come easily for me. However, I mentally sometimes thought of words for the tunes of several children’s songs to suit the plans for various themes for Sabbath School kindergarten programs when I was still teaching them. I found that singing along with mowing was way better than singing where others could hear me! I have never been known for great singing!
There was something about cutting the grass that makes me feel especially close to God. It is a total sensory experience of sight, sound, smell and taste. As noisy as a mower can be, it blocks out almost all the other noise, so I can better hear God’s still small voice. There was one thing that always amazed me—I could hear birds singing above the noise of the mower, And I used to enjoy seeing the barn swallows waiting for the mowing to disturb the bugs. I like to have them come swooping down to grab them from the air each time I made a round with the mower. I miss them. This year we don’t have even one swallow when in the past, we may have had seven or more parents each raising a nest full of youngsters. They always brought me closer to God watching them care for their families, seeing the mouths open wide for a bug to be inserted. Nothing about the swallow leads away from God, just closer.
I can see a span of God’s creation in all its glory, from puffy white clouds drifting across a clear blue sky to endless lawns cloaked in bright, yellow dandelions. I can feel gentle breezes. I can smell the blended fragrances in flower beds and the freshly cut grass. And I could taste mulberries and raspberries as I snag them passing by. Besides all the benefits I’ve already mentioned, pushing or riding a mower is a great time to pray. While you are working, Jesus will be hard at work, hearing and responding to your prayers.
For “the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8).
I often find bugs taking a ride with me and often on me! I brush, shake, and slap to get them off. Some lucky slaps actually connect with flies that bite me. As I battle the bugs and berry biers, I can’t help but look back at the lawn I’ve already trimmed. Somehow, it gives me a sense of accomplishment … even though I know it wouldn’t last long before it grows again. While I work, this verse comes to mind: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Just as the grass continues to grow and need mowing, I also need to go to God and ask Him to clean my heart. It’s not a once and done type of thing, but a continual process like mowing the lawn. When I’m not paying attention, “bugs” crop up and “weeds” prevent me from having a clear view of my Savior.
Freak accidents expose the fragility of life and test our understanding of God’s sovereignty. While tragedy often brings the immediate “why me?” questions, scripture reminds us to lean on peace that surpasses understanding, trusting that God remains a refuge and strength even amidst unexpected suffering and sudden heartbreak. Just as grass is cut down in a single day, our lives can change in an instant (Isaiah 40:8). The suddenness of a freak accident reminds us that we are not in ultimate control. Instead of viewing this lack of control with panic, we can surrender our anxieties to God, acknowledging our dependence on Him for every breath and step. Recently, I had a freak accident while mowing.
There is a corner in our yard that tends to be a bit brushy and a little bit wild. I have mowed around it many many times and without trouble. Just recently I had some trouble! I wear glasses and always thought they were an advantage keeping things away from my eyes. But last week, so very quickly, a small tree twig went under my glasses and then under my eye lid. It all happened so quickly I didn’t have time to “blink!” It is surprising how a tiny twig can feel like a tree in your eye! Even when I stopped and made sure I was sort of OK, I did not feel ok. My eye cried and cried, to me excessively. And I felt like crying about what had happened. I can close one eye and still see but that one eye was the one that I can’t close and still see. To close the hurt eye I had close both! Then I can’t see! Forcing it to stay open I had to see through tear water and shield it from the sun since the sunlight made it much more painful. I did manage to finish mowing but felt like the whole tree was in my eye. I am so glad that God designed us with natural healing abilities. Our eyes are fearfully and wonderfully made. Three days later, all was back to normal and I have been so thankful! God does not always prevent accidents, but He promises to be present in the aftermath. Comfort is frequently found not in understanding the “why,” but in experiencing the “who”— knowing that the Creator walks through the valley of the shadow of death with us.
The act of mowing the lawn itself can serve as a spiritual lesson. Just as the grass continues to grow and requires constant, continual tending, our spiritual lives require ongoing care. When the unexpected “freak accidents” of life threaten to uproot our faith, our hearts need to be continually surrendered to God so that bitterness and despair do not take root. God does not abandon us when chaos happens. In the midst of sudden trials, His grace steps in, to comfort, strengthen, and carry us. Even in the darkest freak accidents, God has the power to redeem and bring something profoundly positive out of the wreckage. When fear and anxiety loom in the accident, you can invite Jesus into your pain to transform panic into a moment of faith, peace and trust. Here is some Biblical council for me.
Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” When a “freak happening” shakes your reality, it is natural to feel out of control. Spiritually, this is a moment to trade the illusion of control for the anchor of God’s presence. Instead of searching for hidden reasons, focus on His character: God never wastes a hurt and promises to walk with you through every storm. God does not abandon us when chaos happens. During sudden trials, His grace steps in, to comfort, strengthen, and carry us. Even in the darkest freak accidents, God has the power to redeem and bring something profoundly positive out of the wreckage. When fear and anxiety come upon you, you can give them to Jesus and He will bring you the peace that passes understanding.
Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
When a sudden, tragic mowing accident occurs, it shatters our sense of normalcy.
Devotionally, it highlights how quickly life changes, reminding us to anchor our faith in God’s sustaining grace, lean on our community for support, and recognize that He is our ultimate refuge in times of crisis.
Just as a routine mowing chore can instantly turn into a crisis, life’s circumstances can shift without warning. These unexpected tragedies remind us that tomorrow is never promised. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)
My conclusions from mowing and from a freaky accident—
In the wake of trauma, asking “why” is a natural human response, but faith calls me to shift my focus to the healing and to “how” God will guide us through the healing process. While God doesn’t cause suffering, He promises to walk through it with us, providing peace that surpasses understanding and restoring both body and spirit, and my eye. It was difficult to see anything. Are there areas in your life where it’s difficult to see God at work? How do your circumstances cause you to lose sight of God’s unfailing love? It was hard to be thankful for my freak accident. What can you thank God for today? That twig that snagged me should have been pruned long ago. Just as grass continues to grow and requires constant maintenance, keeping our spiritual lives “pruned” is an ongoing process of constant maintenance, not a one-time event. The noisy drone of the mower can act as a barrier to the outside world, making it a surprisingly great time to tune out chaos, pray, and listen to God. Sometimes, life’s sudden disruptions like a stick in my eye feels like God’s sharp machete is cutting out vital things, but Scripture reminds us that this freak accident is often followed by a soft, refreshing rain somewhat like my tears of healing.
Dear God, please give me a refreshing rain of healing today and open my eyes to your care.