The other day our mower just stopped working. I went out to mow, and it just wouldn’t move. We knew this day was coming. We had been using the same mower for many, many years on a lawn that was too big for it. So we had already had conversations about a new mower.
It seemed everyone loved the zero turn mowers — the ones that have two levers to steer instead of a steering wheel. We researched and looked at several places that carried them. Each one said the same thing: once you mow with a zero turn mower, you’ll never want to use another mower again. They said it would be so easy and that we’d love it. So we listened and got one.
When it was time to mow, my husband drove it around as if he had done so for years. He had already tried it before we made the purchase, but still, he made it look easy — flying around the yard, driving between things, trimming around the flower beds and trees.
I was excited when it was my turn to mow. All the positive reviews echoed through my head: It’s so easy to use! I’ve taught people in their eighties to drive one!
But it turned out that was so not my experience! I thought I’d be able to just jump on and get it like my husband had, but it was hard and confusing for me — like my brain was taking to too long to think about which lever I needed to move which way. I was all over the place, and the levers were so touchy. Forget about maneuvering anything around! It was a disaster, and the only fantastic thing about the new mower for me was that it had a comfortable seat — that was about it!
It was such a huge disappointment. I thought it was supposed to make my life easier. My husband — God bless him for being so patient — stepped in to help. He walked alongside me, telling me to go slowly and walking me through what to do with those dang levers. He encouraged me and told me I was doing well, even though I knew I was not catching on.
It certainly didn’t come easy for me like I had hoped and like everyone had said. I’d definitely need more guidance and teaching and patience in my learning. It was going to be a process.
Such is life and our relationship with the Lord. He is our greatest teacher, and He sends us great lessons in many ways — even through the most ordinary ways. Yet often we are not the best students. We don’t think we need help. We want to jump ahead and do things on our own, often without knowing what we are doing. We don’t take the time to really listen to Him. We don’t let Him guide us. We don’t let Him teach us the way first. I don’t know about you, but I know I could be a better student and pay closer attention.
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.”
John 13:13 (NIV)
Jesus became human in order to show us the way. We all need to be taught, and we all have different things to learn. And yes, sometimes it takes a while to get it. Try not to be discouraged: we each learn at a different pace and in different ways. It takes time to process the lessons He is trying to teach us. Thank goodness He is so patient with us!
We will all have to go through some growing pains in our journey, too. Some lessons will come easier than others. It won’t always be a smooth and easy road. Some lessons we will have to learn many times over. We will inevitably make mistakes, but He will offer grace when we get in our own way.
We may even just want to give up when it gets too hard. I had that same feeling with the new mower. I just wanted to give up, even though I enjoy mowing. I love those hours in nature, with just the hum of the mower and my thoughts. But my husband won’t let me give up. With all his sweet patience, he will teach me to use it and maybe, hopefully, some day I will agree it is indeed the best mower ever!
God is faithful, and He will not give up on us. Take your requests to Jesus. Ask Him to teach you. He is always able and ready as long as we are willing. The Teacher is always there, speaking deeply into our hearts, giving us the guidance we need.
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
God is faithful, and He will not give up on us. Take your requests to Jesus. Ask Him to teach you. He is always able and ready as long as we are willing. -Jennifer Ueckert: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment