The experience could have been traumatic for an 11-year-old boy. The John Deere self-propelled grass-cutting machine was a critical asset ... a cornerstone perhaps ... for a young boy’s newly emerging grass-cutting business. For many years this trusty two-stroke machine had represented quality. The mower had been recently passed down as a gift to a son who was entrusted to keep the machine in good repair… now it simply would not start (and it was not for want of a "tired arm" pulling the start cord).
(little sister posing with beloved John Deere mower)
There was no way to buy a new one. The old mower could not be fixed nor could it be pushed into the garage to pretend as if nothing ever happened … there were numerous clients (neighbors) with fast growing grass that would eventually need to be cut! Yes, sooner or later the facts would be faced and this adolescent blunder dealt with.
Apparently if you don’t add oil to the gasoline in a two-stroke machine… eventually you seize the block. Metal on metal creates some impressive heat without proper lubrication… but that was nothing like the heat this kid was going to receive from his dad about the matter! In a surprising turn of events, a larger more important lesson was learned – a lesson on true love… about mercy and grace.
Have you ever met anyone who was quick to listen, slow to speak and even slower to become angry? James 1:19-20 reminds us that man’s anger does not bring about the kind of life that God desires.
Someone not easily offended is commended.
On that very ominous day, both grace and mercy were personally experienced ... and their meanings better understood. Definition 1 - Grace: when you receive a gift you do not deserve. Definition 2 - Mercy: when you do NOT receive that which you truly deserve (like punishment).
Not being punished for destroying the $300 lawnmower was merciful. Receiving the gift of a replacement "walk behind" Murray mower (to cover my blunder) was gracious… however, it did not seem a very worthy gift at first. Is it even possible to entertain the idea that a person could be unhappy about such a gracious act of love? Even angry in return? You see it was MORE WORK!! It had to be PUSHED UP hills (no longer self-propelled)!! How ungrateful was such an attitude!! But that attitude was short-lived. A few weeks of sore muscles and soon both body and heart were re-conditioned, renewed, strengthened to be far better than before. Lesson learned...
On that very ominous day, both grace and mercy were personally experienced ... and their meanings better understood. Definition 1 - Grace: when you receive a gift you do not deserve. Definition 2 - Mercy: when you do NOT receive that which you truly deserve (like punishment).
Not being punished for destroying the $300 lawnmower was merciful. Receiving the gift of a replacement "walk behind" Murray mower (to cover my blunder) was gracious… however, it did not seem a very worthy gift at first. Is it even possible to entertain the idea that a person could be unhappy about such a gracious act of love? Even angry in return? You see it was MORE WORK!! It had to be PUSHED UP hills (no longer self-propelled)!! How ungrateful was such an attitude!! But that attitude was short-lived. A few weeks of sore muscles and soon both body and heart were re-conditioned, renewed, strengthened to be far better than before. Lesson learned...
1 Cor. 13:5 – Love Is Not Easily Angered
