I Mow The Lawn

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35 (NIV)

I enjoy mowing our yards. We used to have someone come over and did it for us until I told my husband I truly enjoyed doing that. That was my exercise in a way! He cautioned me so as not to hurt my neck (I had an old injury) and he would rather do the chore but I insisted, telling him that as long as I wouldn’t carry heavy things, I was only pushing the mower, not carry it, so my neck should be fine.

At times that my husband is so busy at work like this past week where they have been concentrating on arresting criminals, I want to do that for him knowing how he is. Despite his exhaustion, he never complains about doing some of the household chores, including mowing the yards.

So, this morning, there I was on a beautiful sunny day mowing the front yard first. I was almost done when a man parked his truck across the street and slowly approached me. Working in the prison, I learned how to be wary at all times so though I wasn’t looking up, I could sense his presence coming toward where I was and prepared myself for whatever that man would do or say. Until…I saw his shadow right in front of me and then, I looked up.

the flyer from the man

He greeted me a “Good Morning” and asked me if I needed help with any landscaping or any yard projects. I smiled at him and told him I would be glad to get a card from him if he had any because I was enjoying this chore at this time and didn’t have any projects on hand. But I promised him that I would call him if my husband and I decided we could use some help. He smiled and appreciated my response and willingness to be interrupted with my half-done work. He handed me a green flyer as he said “Thank you” and left. I knew he saw me saved his flyer in the garage. He waved at me as I returned to the task. I did, too and wished him a “Good day.”

I looked back at what I had mowed, looked ahead at the areas I still needed to do while avoiding the palm trees and other things I shouldn’t touch. I started the engine and with remaining strength, I pushed the mower and finished the whole yard.

“Thank You, Lord for giving me the strength to finish my mowing the lawn,” I prayed quietly.

As I rested and the thought of my on-going battle at work came to mind, people there had tried desperately to intimidate me and boldly had shown me their power to scare me and hoped that I would quit my job as a Correctional Nurse. I looked back at those times and knew that it was all a part of His plan, not theirs. I still didn’t have a clue on what lies ahead but it was His hand that quickly reached out to me at that time of need and any other needs. He provided me the strength that I would need to learn how to endure, be patient, and most of all, to continue to love despite the hate, the rejection, and other hurtful devices these people put in my way.

"Thank You, Lord for the strength You give me as I patiently wait for You...

And like my mowing to help out my hard-working husband can be my service to God, so it is with God making me a nurse in the prison to help the inmates and the staff's needs as well...I am not done. I will mow week after weeks, and my job as a Correctional Nurse is still not completely over because I will still work there for as long as He wants me to.I just pray that God will help me discern those circumstances or the people He puts in my path as my opportunity to serve. For Him...

I took a gulp of cold water and folded away the green flyer. I knew…I wouldn’t need that. For a very long time…

the yard after I mowed it

May this song inspire each of us to not be weary in doing good...("And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9)

In My Own Little World (Matthew West)



Lyrics:

In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I've never gone hungry or always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket shoes on my feet
In my own little world, population: me

I try to stay awake through the Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give 'til it hurts
and I turn off the news when I don't like what I see
it's easy to do when it's population: me

What if there's a bigger picture
what if I'm missing out
What if there's a greater purpose
I could be living right now
outside my own little world

Stopped at the red light, looked out my window
Outside the car, saw a sign, said "Help this homeless widow"
Just above this sign was the face of a human
I thought to myself, "God, what have I been doing?"

So I rolled down my window and I looked her in the eye
Oh how many times have I just passed her by
I gave her some money then I drove on through
in my own little world there's population: two

What if there's a bigger picture
what if I'm missing out
What if there's a greater purpose
I could be living right now
outside my own little world
Start breaking my heart for what breaks Yours
give me open hands and open doors
put Your light in my eyes and let me see
that my own little world is not about me

Help Us Do The Right Thing

I saw the red lights from the brakes lit up as this car moved forward cautiously from our slightly sloped driveway. The night has not woken up yet from its deep slumber.

Few minutes ago, I held the driver of that car’s hands. Feeling the roughness from the hands that worked hard daily, we joined hands in our daily morning prayer. I mumbled as if I had memorized his prayer and synchronized with his utterances. I never failed when these familiar whispers filled the family room’s corners:

“Help us to do the right thing…”

That was my husband. Rough hands that rounded up criminals at the wee hours of each morning.

“Change your prayers,” I remember once telling him (How quick of me to criticize thinking that his prayer was redundant!). Only to give him an apology much later…

It’s because I should have respected his petition. And that is his ultimate request each time. For God to help us do the right thing. Looking around, that’s what’s lacking it seems. People are not choosing to do the right thing.

This morning’s prayer was different. I echoed his petition loudly from my heart and was becoming my heart’s cry, too…

If people from work would do the right thing, I wouldn’t have this battle that I had been in regarding my position for over a year now.

If people from the government would do the right thing, we wouldn’t have difficulty choosing the best candidate to lead this nation or any local and national part of the government knowing each candidate if doing the right thing, will not utter promises that sound empty.

If people from different backgrounds would only do the right thing, we wouldn’t hear about hate crimes.

If people would only do the right thing, there would be happier families, solid marriages, kids growing up with respect and love for God and others.

If people would only do the right thing, we wouldn’t know what ‘bullying’ means. What rape means. What abuse means.

Photo Credit

Overcrowding in every prisons wouldn't be a problem if each of those incarcerated individuals had done one thing: TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

If people choose to do the right thing, the first step is to “pray, seek God’s face and turn from wicked ways” and God promised to hear from heaven and forgive the people’s sins and restore their land.

And with each coming day, I will never get tired whispering in prayers as I join my husband to ask God to help us do the right thing. I dare not ask my husband to change that prayer for that is the daily battles we all  face: our own decision-making. May God increase my sorrow, to hate the sins the way He hates them, and my spirit to strive for the righteousness that He wants because He is a Holy God.

How awesome it would be if my hands get calloused by folding them in prayers incessantly as I ask God to help my family and I to always help us do the right thing. Daily. Even as we are facing huge mountains of trials. And that is my prayer for each and every one of you.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Nerds!

My son was to present yesterday for their French Class regarding the career they were interested in. A little challenging as they needed to speak in French, as understandable. He enjoyed anything with Graphic Design. He currently helps his Graphic Design teacher in teaching other students or classes. He makes shirt designs and prints them himself. He designs logos and had helped a business owner changed his ad in a newspaper using the ad he did himself.

He was well-prepared except the teacher was not able to be there yesterday. So, he had to do it all over again tomorrow, Friday. He wanted to make a lasting impression by wearing a special t-shirt his teacher had given him as a gift for him helping the teacher out in many ways.

It is a dark blue shirt with a golden word printed that says: “Graphic Designer(d)”

my son's t-shirt

His aim was not only to talk about something he loves to do but he wants to show a sample of the t-shirt printing they do in their own class.

“Nerd…”

What’s being good like striving to become a good student is labeled as “nerd” in today’s society. What’s being different by choosing morality vs. evil things is being labeled as “nerds” today. When a person does not go with the flow of the things of this world, it’s being called as “nerd”.

But God is calling us to become “Nerds”…Different…Set apart…

He is calling us believers to become “HOLY!”

¹⁴ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

- 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV)

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:1 (ESV)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” –Romans 12:2 (ESV)

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

He Makes A Way

I am feeling bummed out right now after reading an email from work regarding the schedule I gave for my next availability. Let’s just say our spiritual enemies are truly trying their best in any way possible to steal the peace and joy in my heart. If nothing is happening to make my faith waver and if they see contentment in my heart, there has to be another thing or way that comes out that tries to always turn my world upside down.

But…I refuse to listen…This waiting period from God’s hands I know will reveal a much bigger purpose. This is a time of learning to endure, persevere, be strengthened and be drawn to His power and love. There are times when it is hard. It’s not because I don’t believe in Him but because I want to see justice stop some of the people from work abusing their authorities with the way they execute plans: to make themselves prosper more and to make others below them miserable.

I admit I’m tired. I can still be impatient with this battle I had been in for a little over a year now. But no matter what happens, even if I don’t know what the future holds…I trust that God will give me a way here in this desert.

Photo Credit

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19

Would you please pray for me? I appreciate your visit and encouragement. God bless you all.

Father, at times that I feel so weak and vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks, remind me of the power that comes from You. Thank You for providing us with Your weapons for this battle is not mine but Yours. I ask of You to continue to mold me and draw me ever nearer to You. No matter what happens, I have this hope that never perishes because of what Jesus had done. Thank You Father for Your unconditional love. Please remove any obstacles in my path that hinders me from seeing that way You are providing for me. Please continue to guide me with Your divine wisdom and grant Your gift of discernment. Help me, Oh God to always readily forgive those who hurt me the way You have forgiven me many times.Thank You for Your everlasting kindness. Thank You that because of Your faithful promise, I know that “no weapon turned against me will succeed and that I will silence every voice raised up accusing me(Isa.54:17).” Thank You for Jesus’ righteousness that cover me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.