Mike’s Musings ….
The Benefits of Mowing
Many readers may be pondering such a musing as mowing the yard, but please bear with me. Those of you who have had the pleasure of mowing pasture ground will quickly understand; the rest of you will just need to read the article.
When just a youngster, mowing yards became a weekly job from springtime through autumn. We used the old reel-type mowers when at my grandparents, but at home, Dad had purchased a motorized reel-type mower. The problem was that the speed of the self-propelled mower was a bit too fast for this youngster! Dad then purchased two “Iron Horse Lawn Boy” mowers. Those were nice! Though they only had a twelve-inch cut, they proved much better than any of the reel types (especially the non-motorized) and they made the yards look wonderful! As my brother and I reached our teen years, Dad bought a small Wheel Horse. Oh, that was wonderful! No more walking every step of the yards we mowed (three of which were “family,” and the others were “neighbors … help them” yards.) But then there was the trimming, and at Grandma VanFossen’s, that meant using handheld sheep sheers! Yep, more hard work. But we survived and learned the benefits of hard work with great results!
As time progressed, bigger Wheel Horse mowers and a diesel Kubota mower were involved. We mowed about ten acres of pasture ground once a month to keep the multiflora rose from growing back. While on that acreage, there wasn’t anything to do but mow and think! And friend, that’s why I love mowing … all I have to do is mow and think! There’s minimal trimming (which also lets me think … it’s just not my favorite part of mowing) so most of the time, it’s just ride along and think! Oh, the precious benefits that weekly task provides!
Paul may not have done a lot of mowing, but he did do a lot of thinking, and highly recommended it (see Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:15). Peter was of the same mentality (2 Peter 1:13; 3:1). Thinking of God and godly things, including sermons, bible studies, the blessings He provides us daily, the life we live as His children, etc. is of incomparable measure! Further, thinking is much more than just riding a mower at a purposely low speed – thinking is an exercise of the mind that benefits the soul (Hebrews 5:13 – 14). No, I still don’t like to “push mow” but mostly because I can think while riding: and the thoughts are much more profitable than even the success of a good mowing job! When do you do your thinking about God and godly things? It’s a peaceful exercise that does wonders for the soul!