Be the Guy with the Healthy Lawn

As a parent with adult children living in different states, I often find myself helping with yard work during my visits. This recently happened on a trip to Minnesota to see my daughter, Andrea. Her lawn clearly needed attention, so I grabbed the mower and weed eater and got to work.

While working, I couldn’t help but notice the parallel between tending to a lawn and nurturing our spiritual lives. Most of Andrea’s lawn was dry and desolate, overrun with weeds. While I was mowing, I noticed a neighbor’s lawn—it was immaculate, lush, green, and weed-free. I also realized that the closer I got to his property line, the healthier Andrea’s grass looked, benefiting from the water and care he provided his own lawn.

This left me with a few thoughts and questions:

First, the grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence; it’s greener where it receives water and fertilizer.

Second, consider your own life: What spiritual areas need more water and fertilizer? Are there weeds that have taken root over time that need to be cleared away? And, importantly, who are you surrounding yourself with, and how are you benefiting from their influence?

Finally, what would it take for you to be the guy with a “healthy lawn”? The guy who others benefit from being around. The guy who sharpens all those he comes in contact with. Be that guy!

Thor