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We should always have a lighthearted attitude and enjoy each day to the
best of our ability. The stresses of life will be constant as promised in
the Word of God and it is for this reason that we should recognize how
precious our days are and make an extra effort to see our blessings and
live each day to the fullest. We are to be conscious of our mortal being
on the earth and not waste our days worrying over things that will have no
relevance next week, next month or next year. I encourage you to see the
good in your life and focus more on what is going right for you. Remind
yourself to laugh more, smile more, hug more, and tell those who are
closest to you that you love them more often than you are doing right now.
You will soon find that having a lighthearted attitude is much better than
allowing yourself to worry, complain and murmur about things that are not
so important. (Job 14:1) (Psalm 118:24) (Matthew 6:25-34) (Ephesians 4:29-32)
I hope this simple story encourages your heart to be more jovial and
easy-going because life is to be enjoyed, relished, savored and lived to
the best of our ability.
OLD SEVEN DOLLAR
When we moved to our Itty Bitty Dirt Farm in the late 70’s after my husband
Roy retired from the US Navy, he fell heir to a barn full of unidentifiable
and valuable junk from the former owners.
Way back in the left corner of the barn was a rickety, broken lawn mower
trying valiantly to stand on three wheels. Looking at the old mower and the
expanse of hay that would become our lawn, and knowing we had a combined
brood of kids to feed, he scrounged through the junk piles to find parts to
repair the dilapidated machine. However, no amount of digging through the
random cultch could uncover the missing wheel. A new spark plug was
required for the machine to run with gusto.
After a quick trip to the local farm supply store, Roy returned with the
replacement parts, a spray can of red paint, and a receipt for seven
dollars. Thus Old Seven Dollar was born and would practically become a
member of the family.
Over the next ten years or so, Roy and Old Seven Dollar beat back the hay
fields until they became proud owners of an “estate.” To complete the job,
man and machine spent a leisurely Saturday afternoon in the sun.
After a bit of discussion, we decided that it really was time to upgrade to
a riding mower. Yes, you guessed it, Roy found a machine that had been
repaired by an elderly gentleman in his tinker shop. Old Seven Dollar still
had a mission: to mow the lawn patches directly in front of the house that
I hadn’t converted into a weeping tree collection and perennial garden. The
riding mower couldn’t maneuver in and out of the narrow garden paths.
With this new toy, Roy began testing the limits of the hay field! Each
passing year expanded the perimeters of our estate. A couple years later,
he announced, “I stopped at Sears. They’ve got a mower with a bigger mowing
deck. I could get the mowing job done quicker and have more time for play.”
Proudly, he purchased his first new riding mower. I purchased a T-shirt
for him to wear while riding it that proclaimed, “I Fought the Lawn, and
the Lawn Won!”
Old Seven Dollar still had its mission of manicuring the area in the front
yard that wasn’t a garden yet.
Eventually, Roy spent a full Saturday mowing our lawn that was taking on
the appearance of a country club golf course. Occasionally, I’d take pity
on him. “How about a duel? I can mow more than you in an hour!” I chided.
With both of us mowing, we could conquer the lawn in under five hours.
When he began eyeballing the industrial strength mowers at Agway, I
suggested we sell our extra mowers or we’d have to hire all the neighbors
to help us mow! Roy got the subtle hint.
Yesterday, he lamented, “Old Seven Dollar is acting sick and won’t stay
running. What do you think, should I buy new power mower without all the
bells and whistles to mow that patch or two of grass in the front garden?”
“What happened to ‘Make do, use it up, wear it out?’ We’re going to be in
the poorhouse if you buy another mower!” I teased borrowing expressions
handed down by his frugal Wisconsin father and mother.
Old Seven Dollar, thank you for your many years of dependable service. Even
Roy believes you have finally earned your well deserved retirement. There
is a special niche in the left hand corner of the barn just for you.
May you rust in peace!
By Kay Seefeldt
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but
this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 34:1-4 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 27:11-14 “Teach me Thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path,
because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine
enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe
out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of
the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage,
and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem168.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: GOD IS FAITHFUL
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony118.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
