July 5, 2007
No More Mowing
READ: Luke 10:38-42
One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part. —Luke 10:42
The mayor of a small town in Kentucky stopped mowing his lawn in 2005. He has put up a sign on his property that reads: “There are more important things in life than tall grass.”
He said that he has several reasons for not cutting the grass, one of which is his wife’s death from cancer. That loss caused him to reflect on the priorities of life. He enjoys just sitting in the evenings and observing the wild flowers, squirrels, and birds that are now coming to his yard. A member of the city council remarked, “If he likes it like that, it’s fine. I kind of feel like maybe he is right. Maybe there are more important things than mowing grass.”
The mayor gives us some food for thought about priorities. What we do with our time shows what we feel is important. In our Bible reading for today, Martha was “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40). Mary, however, took the time to sit “at Jesus’ feet” and listen to His teaching (v.39). Perhaps she realized that she wouldn’t have many more opportunities to learn from Jesus.
Sometimes responsibilities like washing dishes, mowing the lawn, or working extra hours on a project need to wait so that we can spend time with the Lord or family or friends. That may be what’s more important.
The work you must fulfill—
Be sure you keep that human touch
If you would do God’s will. —D. De Haan
