#Retrospective, this post originally posted August 7, 2018.
My old push lawnmower is nearing the end of it’s useful life, but for now it is still getting the job done. It needs a little oil added each time I fuel it up and it coughs white smoke when I start it up, but it still runs. I can see that a new mower might be in my future.
In preparation for that fateful day, I started to research replacement mowers to look for the best deal. I also researched electric versus gasoline powered mowers, studying up on the advantages of both. I had done my homework and I was prepared to make a wise choice when I needed a new mower. Problem is that I left God out of the whole process.
It never occurred to me to lift my situation to God in prayer. “Surely he can’t be bothered with something as small as a mower and the need to keep my lawn trimmed,” I thought. Apparently I had forgotten Matt. 10:30 that told me God knows the number of hairs on my head, that I am worth more than sparrows. But does he care whether I have a working mower? Apparently he does.
A few weeks ago we came across a mower outside a garage with a “free” sign on it. We were walking to church with some friends and I decided I would take it home after church if it was still there. “Certainly somebody needed it more than I did,” I thought. After church we walked back home and the mower was still there. God had provided a deal that surpassed all my research. I wheeled the mower home and started it up. It was a vast improvement over my old mower.
This was a good lesson for me to take everything to God in prayer. No matter how small or insignificant our needs may seem, we should lift everything up to God. By praying to God for our needs we take ourselves out of the equation and rely on his wisdom instead of our own. This week as I mowed the lawn with my new mower I praised God not just for his provision, but also for the lesson to take everything to the Lord in prayer.
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” – Matt 6:8 (NIV)
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Matt. 10:30 (NIV)
© 2018 Chris G. Thelen
140 Character Christian 
I am happy to put my latest comment below my first one! I had forgotten about this little gem of yours! On this read-through, I’m struck by the phrase “take yourself out of the equation.” Wow, that really hits me where I am right now. Thank you. Chris. God bless!
I must admit theses reposts have spoken to me. Apparently I didn’t get the lesson the first time. Just this week I was reminded of God’s provision in a complicated situation. He showed me a way that totally surprised me. It’s hard sometimes to know how much we should do without taking God out of the equation. I am continually reminded that I need to follow God’s lead, His Spirit. Thanks for the comment, David. Blessings to you this day.
God does indeed provide. Thank you for the remind.
If we always thought about whether “someone else needs this more than I do,” we would never accept anything God gives us – and I think that must frustrate Him. (“Yes, but I’m giving this one to YOU.”)
So true. I need to learn to receive from God.
God cares about all the details of our lives. My children knew that very young. I need to be reminded of it daily. Thank you for today’s reminder!
I think of God’s gentle whisper in 1 Kings 19:12, whispering to us each day that he cares about us. I just need to listen to his voice.
Grass withers, flowers fade … (Isaiah 40:8)
But I guess until then, it needs to be mowed … 🙂
So true. We still need to be caretakers of what God gives us.