Today, I did something different. I stepped out into my yard this afternoon, and witnessed nature in all its glory. A gorgeous spring day of brilliant color and sound—all laid out before me like an endless carpet woven of the very threads that make up life, earth, and light. I was taken aback. It was beautiful!

Then looking down at my feet, I was astonished to find that they were almost completely obscured by the very tall grass—and at that moment, inside my head, the voice of my thoughts said, “It’s mower time.” M.C. Hammer style.

And that’s where the challenge and I met for a battle.

My mower has seen better days, and after giving it a cursory inspection I remembered that last time I attempted to start the rusty old thing I found the ignition system in need of repair. Being late in the fall, I just put it away and figured I’d deal with it come spring. Well, thanks a lot Paul of the past, you ever-lovin slacker!

So, my nephew, Jay; and son, Ethan; and I, all went outside for some outdoor fun, and I began dis-assembly of the top half of the mower. After checking the ignition coil with my trusty digital multimeter I determined it to be electrically intact, and re-routed the “kill” wire, leaving it disconnected from the broken, cable-actuated, kill switch, but still externally available for future use, and Jay and I proceeded to partially reassemble, and check for spark. And spark there was! Good compression, timing, and spark—three of the four things needed for a functioning engine; the fourth being fuel.

To make a long story short, I refueled the Briggs and Stratton gasoline engine with some diesel fuel that I had forgotten was in the gas can, and complicated the repair process significantly.

But never fear, the Bozark is an expert on small engines, and we eventually got everything fixed up and working fine, and I, under the expert supervision of Jay and Ethan mowed the great, green, grassy lawn, making a ridiculous number of stops to empty the grass bag.

And I loved it! It was hard, but it felt so good! And now, when I step out on the porch, I am simply struck the beauty of spring—the warmth, the sun, the clear blue sky, and my newly cut lawn. I could be content to stand on the porch all day admiring it.

And it occurs to me that work is a blessing. What else brings such satisfaction as a job well done, and the knowing that you have added to the beauty of God’s creation, and the lives of your fellow men.

I hope that each of you are able to go forth, and with talent and vigor, make your mark on the world, and then bask in the reward.

It’s a great thing!