Ups and Downs

Recently I did my first mowing of the year…

Step one was switching from the snow blower to the mower deck. After far too long battling to loosen the first bolt, I called to set up a service call and pay for help. I was pretty down on myself.

Then I changed a setting on the lift and got it loose and the blower removed. A quick refresher on YouTube and the deck went on easier than ever.

I was feeling pretty good about myself.

Then I mowed into a space I shouldn't have and there was a horrible noise. Backed out, stopped it, started it again and it sounded better than all last season.

Next I made another poor choice near a ground up stump. Horrible noise, I thought I broke it again. Debris cleared, everything was fine.

Later, driving in a completely clear area, horrible noise; no debris; didn't hit anything. I looked underneath and discovered a piece of the deck had cracked and fallen in the blade path. Now it was actually broken. I managed to bend the metal out of the blade path and finished the section. Happy again.

I decided to do one more section and it seemed like it wasn't cutting at all. I realized I had raised the deck and not lowered it again. It worked fine.

The whole episode got me thinking…

I may need a new mower.

But also…

Lots of ups and downs, just like life. Sometimes we're defeated, sometimes we make poor choices and sometimes it's just an unexpected downturn. And then we move on.

We wonder if the bad things come with a purpose, if they're our fault, or if they just happen. But we know no matter what, God has not left us. Even the skills we have to solve our problems come from Him. We don't have to worry about the why, we just have to remember one way or another He either gets us out or gives us comfort.

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Psalms 46:1 NIV

[1] God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

[19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”