Dead spots

?It’s safe to say that from the time I laid eyes on my new house, I loved everything about it. The size – just right, not too big, not too small; it’s just right. The wood floors caught my attention. I always wanted them in my old house, but never got around to getting them.

Some of my most memorable moments were spent sitting on my parent’s front porch, reading the paper, visiting with friends, gazing up at the stars. My old house didn’t have a porch – this one does. Yes, I loved everything about this house … with the exception of those dead spots in the yards. 

But while I didn’t love those dead spots, love showed me how to fix them.

***

“Lynn…you need something to do””? Man, I can still hear that authoritative, military voice asking, Before I could respond, that same voice would shoot back a list of instructions. If he saw you, you could forget it, he was putting you to work. He got so good to where even if he heard you, you were in danger of being given a chore.

There’s one time I just knew I had him beat. My shoes were off as I tiptoed down the hall. Just as I was about to break free – that old creak floor betrayed me. This time, he didn’t ask – he just told.

“Lynn, grab that water hose, metal rake, shovel and hoe and meet me on the side of the house by the garage”. Defeated, I did as I was told, grabbing the tools one by one, and by the time I had the last one, there he stood with a couple stacks of grass sitting off behind him.

It didn’t take me long for me to figure out I was about to do some serious yard work, but I had no idea how to do it. He sensed that and said, “I’ll show you how to get started, but when you get to the other side, it’s on you”.

Grab that hoe: That side of the house was filled with weeds, so he began hoeing them up, chopping them up, clearing them out and removing them. He told me we needed to get rid of all those weeds because if we left them there, the grass we were about to plant wouldn’t grow.

Sometimes we look at our lives and wonder why things aren’t moving the way we intended or thought they would. We planted seeds, planted grass if you will, but nothing seems to grow. Chances are, you’ve never dealt with the weeds. The negative thoughts, the negative people, all the bad experiences that can cause your planting to fail. Before you enter this next season, this area of your life where you’re expecting beautiful things to bloom, grab that hoe, and begin chopping, clearing, and removing those weeds.

Turn that water on: The Texas sun can make the ground hard – no matter what tools you’re using.  With my role beginning to increase, I was so grateful when he sent me around the corner to turn the water on. We sprayed that area down good. Take your time is what he told me, the ground will get softer, the water will get down in the roots and the grass will “catch” better when we plant it.

Most people in my neighborhood viewed my father as a hard man. Shoot, I was one of them. Yes, I was one of them, but over the years as the water continues to flow in our relationship, I’ve come to realize he has the softest heart. This realization has made some of those hard lessons he planted inside of me “catch” better – and make me, a better man. I’ll always be grateful.

Now, let’s turn it over: Now it was time for the real hard work to begin, so he grabbed the shovel and started turning that moist dirt over. From side to side he moved, thrusting the shovel into the dirt then twisting the shovel to lift it up. Before motioning for me to come take a stab at it, he said, “Don’t be scared to turn it over – that’s the only way the grass will grow”.

Turning it over to God, whatever “it” may be is a hard thing to do. Personal, professional or somewhere in between, no matter where “it” resides in our lives, turning it over is without question one of the most challenging dynamics you can ever face – it’s also the most rewarding. No matter what you’re facing or who caused you to face it, turn it over to God – that’s the only way you can grow.

Get that rake over yonder: The rake…I was wondering what he was doing out here with us. Sitting over there looking all awkward – what was the rake going to do is what I asked myself. Upon passing it to him, I saw. He flipped it over and began smoothing out the ground we’d just dug up, trying to make it level. Then it was my turn and I was determined to make it just right. Just then he shouted out, “Oh you ain’t gone get it perfect – but we got to keep going”.

Some people have been standing in the same spot for years, raking that ground, trying to make it perfect. I’ll let you in on a little secret … you ain’t gone get it perfect – so whatever it is you want out of life … you got to keep going.

Let’s put it down: The weeds had been removed, the ground was prepped and ready and now the time had come to put the grass down. One by one we grabbed those sod squares and placed them neatly onto the ground. Once we were done, I remember looking at how the new grass contrasted with the old grass. I didn’t see how it would all flow together, but I figured my father has a plan.

Sometimes when we think about where we are and where we’d like to be, we cant see how it will all flow together. During those times, rest assured…your Father…has a plan.

Remember to water it: For most of his life my father has waged a war against one common enemy – the utility companies. He’s made it a game and loves to see just how low his light, gas and water bills can come in each month. But when it came to that side of the house, where he and I worked so hard, he made an exception. He told me to get up each morning, and water it. Water it good and don’t worry about the bill, because he’s already paid for it.

You’ve cleared the weeds, turned it over, dealt with the less than perfect and planted seeds. Once all the grass is down, don’t forget to hit your knees … and water it. Afterall, He’s already paid for it.

***

For weeks leading up to spring, I’d pull up to my house and see a door filled with colorful flyers and business cards from lawn services promising to turn my yard into a paradise. I’m sure they see those dead spots and view me as a prime candidate.

Last week, I arrived home and gathered them up as usual and looked at them. I like colors, logos, taglines, and things like that. I guess that’s the creative side of me.  Eventually I tossed them in the garbage before going into my room and changing clothes.

From there I went to my garage, grabbed my water hose, metal rake, shovel and hoe and walked right to those dead spots in my yards. I’m on the other side now and to some those dead spots might cause them to worry, but before I began working, I smiled knowing everything would be just fine because…

Love showed me how to fix them.