THEY FOUND GRASS

An area we drive by needed a cleanup, but that never seemed to happen.  Until last fall.  We noticed some changes.  Improvements.

One yard seemed to be shy of a few yard ornaments.  An old washer and dryer no longer sat by the front steps.  The broken lawn chairs decided to leave with the washer and dryer.  The old truck tires had been painted and now held flowers.  Oh. My gosh!  There was grass!  And the screen that had hung by one hinge was repaired, repainted, and hung proudly on all three hinges.

Then it started.  One home after another emerged from under years of being ignored.  

I believe the women were the driving factor.  I can hear it now.  Susie, looking out the window, says, “Fred, George has cleaned his yard and is mowing.  They have grass.”  Fred replies, “We have grass.”  “Then go find it!”

And, from house to house, the men, at the not so gentle urging from the women, found the grass.  

I don’t know this is how it happened, but the area sure looks better.  There are no front yards that look like landfills and it all began because “George”cleaned up his yard and could mow the grass.

One person made changes and others followed his lead. Thankfully, the changes were positive.

“What about you, Mary?  Taken any broken chairs out of your yard lately?”

Broken chairs?  I don’t have any broken chairs God.  Oh, I get it.  By broken chairs, you mean sins.

“You are quick.  Yes, I mean sins.  For example, when others see you worry less and trust more, they want to do the same.”

Do people really see when I make changes in my life?  My changes can encourage them?

“Yes, Mary.  One way faith grows is by observing how other Christians handle life’s situations.”

(Sigh). Oh great.  So I have to be a Christian 24/7 ?

“Yes, but you have someone supporting you constantly … Me.”

I could not do life without you.  God?  Are you there?  What happened to “constantly”?  God….

“I’m here.  Now go check your yard.  See if you have left bad habits or sins scattered around that could trip other people up.  Remember, you are representing me.  Do it right.”