An Unexpected Lesson

We all know that we need to move every day. Movement combats fatigue and depression. Daily movement improves sleep, digestion, and helps regulate blood sugar. Almost any one asked, “should you move daily?'“ will answer yes. However, when that same group is asked, “Do you move daily?” the inevitable answer is no.

I’m guilty of that lack of daily movement. And I surely know better. “When you know better, you do better.” FALSE!!! I just feel more guilt when I don’t “do” better.

Today, I chose to move. Well, movement chose me. Actually, the yard needed mowed. Though that’s not the entire truth. There’s a rain front moving in this weekend, the grass is unruly, my hubby likes a tidy yard, and I don’t hate riding around on the Cub Cadet ZT1. So, ride it around I did. Hey, it’s movement. Don’t judge.

My nemesis and teacher today, FS56RL.

When we mow, the edges need tidied up by a weed-eater. The Stihl FS56RL is my nemesis. It hates me, and there is no love lost on my side. A more devilish device does not exist in yard care.

Now, I love my husband (DH), and love doing things to make his life more pleasant. It’s a two-way street for us. One of the things the DH doesn’t love is weed eating. So I thought that running the weed-eater around the yard after I mowed today would be a nice way to make his life more pleasant. And, It would be an extra oomph in that daily movement I chose today.

There was no way this act of love was going to be a surprise. I had to text and ask which can held the mixed gas for the torture device, I mean, weed-eater. Then I texted to ask where the string was. At this point, DH calls and informs me about the string, then asks with no little amount of incredulity if I was sure I wanted to try this weed-eater thing. A cheery, "‘yep, I do!’ from me and I could almost hear him shrug his shoulders saying, ‘your funeral’ in his head. He did tell me to be sure to wear my safety glasses. Thanks, babe.

String located. Weed-eater gassed up. YouTube doesn’t know what kind of string-head there is on this thing. So back to its’ Master (DH) with a ‘how do I…’ question. String changed. YouTube does know how to start the thing, which is good because I didn’t.

The Stihl FS56RL is a straight-shaft beast and I’m now certain you need to be over six feet tall with orangutan arms to operate it properly. I’m no slouch at 5’6” yet I was not tall enough to let the instrument of torture fall at arms length and just swing away. DH makes it look so effortless and easy. And he does a nice, neat, straight job with it. HOW!?!

So I’ve made it up the sidewalk, around the house, and across the back of our detached garage. I’ve used two strings already. Weed-Master said I should only need one string unless I got into the wire fence around the property. I haven’t and yet two strings are already gone. I’m not defeated. No, ma’am. I just know when to take a good, long break and get an in-person assist from the Master of this device.

I’d say I got 20% of the necessary edges trimmed up. Not with any grace or professional finish, and I’m pretty sure DH will go back over them. But today I tried a new thing, and I’ll try the weed-eater again. Not bad for my first try. I hope.

Now there’s a lesson to be learned from this and if you’ve read this far, I want to share it with you.

In general, I hate asking for help. But today, I chose to embark on a task for which I was not equipped. So, I asked for help from the Master of the Weed-Eater. And I went to YouTube for guidance. I also stopped pushing the issue when I knew it was too much for me, and asked the Master for a lesson in order to improve my skill.

So many times in life, I’m not willing to reach out. If I think I “should” know something, I won’t ask for help. Pride, fear, and arrogance are terrible teachers and leave me paralyzed, unmoving. But the Master of my life, Jesus gently tells my heart, set pride, fear, and arrogance aside, daughter, and take my humility for it is a light burden and I will help you carry it. I lean into Him for the lesson and listen to Him for guidance. He has never left me paralyzed with pride or fear. Arrogance cannot exist in the presence of His humility.

So the movement I enjoyed today was not simply physical. The Lord moved my heart. I pray He moves yours as well.

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.”