I wanted to share a story about an experience I
had at the beginning of this summer. I've been thinking about it a lot lately,
and I think it has a great tie-in into a spiritual realization I've received.
It
was the middle of May, and I was just following my typical pattern of mowing
the lawn. I got to the backyard portion of the lawns and started going along a
strip of grass about 9 feet wide that is between the side of the house and the
creek ditch. While I was mowing, I decided that I could get a closer mow right
along the edge of the creek. Normally I would avoid this area but I was
confident I could make the lawn look really nice right by the creek. I started
mowing along with the left side of the mower on the ditch side.
Right
when I was nearing the end of the grass strip, I came to a dip in the ground.
It isn't a significantly steep dip, but with the mower, it could make the mower
roll right into the ditch. Well, that is EXACTLY what happened. I got dizzy for
a second (due to some health issues), and in that moment I came to the dip and
lost control of the mower. I tried pulling back on the steering controls but
only ended up turning the mower a little bit since the wheels were rolling
right into the ditch. Next thing I know, the mower is facing the opposite
direction and is upside down on top of me in the ditch, smoking because it was
still running. I manage to reach back and find the key to turn off the machine
and was able to wiggle free out from underneath the mower.
Now,
here is the miracle of the story: I was not wearing the seat belt. I had
forgotten that there was a seat belt on the mower just for situations like this
one. I did not have the seat belt on, so I should have been severely injured by
having this massive and heavy tractor roll on top of me. BUT I WASN'T, because
of the roll-bar. On the back of John Deere's mowers they have what is called a
roll-bar, designed specifically for what the name implies...when the mower is
rolled. Earlier I had been mowing along in the backyard and this roll-bar kept
catching on low-hanging branches or hitting tree trunks when I would be mowing
close to the base. I had been thinking how annoying the roll-bar and was even
considering putting the bar down while I mowed so I didn't have to worry about
it getting caught on more trees.
Thankfully I decided not to do so. I avoided a trip to
the hospital because I kept the roll-bar on the mower. When I rolled, that bar
is the only thing that kept the mower from rolling on top of me completely and
crushing me underneath. Without the seat belt, the steering controls kept me in
on the seat, which was a blessing in itself. But, the roll-bar was the ultimate
blessing. Now I don't ever mow the lawn without having that roll-bar attached
and up. I also avoid dips, ditches, and close edges!
Now, how does this story relate to us in a
spiritual sense? Well, let me fill you in on the thoughts I've had floating
around in my head!
In the story, I was going about doing what I
needed to in the normal way that I do. I was doing what I was supposed to be
doing. Then, I decided to do something I normally avoided. I let my
guard down. When I was still doing something I shouldn't have, I lost
control. Because I wasn't in the right place at the right time, I risked
potentially serious harm. Add onto this scenario that I wasn't protecting
myself with the seat belt provided to help me in case of an emergency. I
hadn't taken all of the necessary precautions. Luckily, I had done one
thing right: I kept the roll-bar on the mower.
Comparing this experience to your life, how does
it relate? Do you do what you know you should be doing? And while going about
your daily activities, how often do you let your guard down, lack judgement, or
loosen your hold of personal values? This is important to be watchful for,
because as soon as you let down your guard, it is SO easy to lose control. It
does not matter how strong you think you are, how good you are at doing what
you should be doing; if you are doing something you know you shouldn't, you
lose the power to control what happens. Lastly, do you take the necessary
precautions to protect yourself against the occasional lapses in judgement we
all as mere humans experience? If scriptures and prayer are ways you are
spiritually uplifted, do you consistently engage in the study of those
scriptures and communicate with your Heavenly Father? What about other ways you
personally worship and experience spiritual enlightenment; do you hold yourself
to a consistent standard in those ways as well? Only through consistency are we
able to remain spiritually strong. We cannot rely on simply ourselves in order
to get through challenges, we need the help of someone greater and stronger
than we can imagine in order to make it through.
Lucky for us, we have a spiritual roll-bar of
sorts: our Heavenly Father. Even when everything is out of sorts and chaotic,
He is ALWAYS there to support you and help save you from yourself. Just like in
the story where the roll-bar protected me when I hadn't fully protected myself,
God is there to do the same for you in every-day life. Of course He expects you
to do all that you can do, but when you fall short, He is there. His plan does
not always involve saving you in the ways you expect or want him to, but his
plan is perfect and He will only do what is best for you.
Please, NEVER forget the value of having a
personal roll-bar in your life. Because I had a physical roll-bar in my
accident, I was spared having to be hospitalized. Heavenly Father, your
personal roll-bar, wants to help you and be there, but He can only do that if
you do not decide to ignore how important a role He really does play in your
life. If you do not believe He has a role, I sincerely hope you can come to the
same realization that I have of how much He loves you and desires to be a part
of your life and save you when you experience many of life's rollovers and
accidents.
