Um, Isn’t Anxiety Getting a Little Old?

I am not one to scream, but that lawn mower…

Sixteen years in service, and I suppose it had the right to stop dead in its tracks on only the second pass around the yard, although this seemed unjust after the numerous, shoulder-separating yanks I gave just to have it sputter reluctantly to start.

I don’t know how many years we’ve had to use the screwdriver to clean the grass out of where the bag hooks insert. If not, the bag might blow off unexpectedly and then you end up with grass-covered legs.

And for several years we’ve used the foot mat from the truck, to cover the hole where grass shoots out at your face while you mow.

And I’ll mention it’s a push mower. Me-powered.

At the beginning of this summer the engine started overheating easily, so I’d mow a little. Take a break. Mow a little. Take a break.

We need a new mower, I said to my husband on Monday, through clenched teeth and need-to-hurt-somebody eyes.

He tried to start the mower again.

I stood fuming, wanting to kick the mower. As Matt bent over to prime it, he had the nerve to stroke the stupid machine and say, She’s given us a good run.

(Can you see the look on my face?)

That evening we were in Home Depot, and within the hour I had a shiny new lawn mower purring in the back yard. (Angels singing.)

(Note: I’m the mower in the family because I enjoy the job, so I say I have a new mower.)

Matt took first turn around the yard, and then I hip bumped him off of the thing and took over.

You guys, it was AWESOME.

Matt was shaking his head at me as I turned and came back his direction, because I was practically laughing. I think it was the same look I had when we rode Soaring Over California at Disneyland. I couldn’t stop smiling.

We put the mower away for the night, and as soon as I could the next morning I went outside to mow.

This new sweet thing has pace-controlled propulsion (I am way too excited about this), and it cut through long, wet grass like it was nothin’.

Do you want me to come mow your yard?

A simple thought for the day: Sometimes we muddle along because something’s working okay, and it’s been working for a long time okay, and why replace it if it’s still working? 

But what if there’s a new way of living that is better? Why-in-the-world-didn’t-we-do-this-sooner better.

For me it’s trading anxiety for peace.

Paul says:

Do not be anxious about anything…and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6,7  NIV)

Anxiety is so old-mower.