Thursday, July 24, 2014

Tom Sawyer revisited or gardening tips from New Jersey















The old Italian man lived alone in Hoboken.  His yard had fallen into disrepair, and the weeds were winning the battle since his son Vinny was doing time.  He wrote to his son weekly, and this time it was as follows:
“Dear Son, The weeds have overtaken the yard, and the ground is too hard to plant.  I am going to hire someone to come and rototill it so I can reseed the back yard.  Miss you, wish you were here to help. Love, Dad”  A week later, a quick, but short reply came from Rahway State Prison from Vinny.  “Dear Dad, Please don’t dig up the yard, that is where the bodies are buried. Love , Vinny”  And the next morning after Vinny’s letter arrived, a knock came at the old man’s door.  It was the FBI with a search warrant, and the crew of 12 were there to excavate the back yard to look for the bodies.  A few days later, the old man again wrote to his son, “Dear Vinny,  The FBI was here and dug up the entire yard.  They found nothing, but now the yard is ready to plant, thanks for all your help.  Love, Dad.”   I cannot tell you if it is true, almost sounds like a Soprano’s episode, but more like a Tom Sawyer story revisited.  Remember Tom was given the chore of painting the fence, which went against his work ethic, he hated to work.  But forced to do it, when his friends came by, made it sound like fun, and so appealing that they wanted to paint too.  And soon the fence was painted, Tom had been relieved from all painting duties, and got credit for a job well done.  At least until his Aunt found out the truth....I wonder if he had an Uncle in Jersey?  Ahh, Jersey, the Garden State.
Some years ago I was a chaplain in a national motorcycle ministry.  I gave it up for a higher position, but missed teaching.  I was approached, “we need someone to teach at a rally, are you interested?”  Of course, sounds like an answer to prayer, but before I could answer, I was given advice.  “Pray about it, you can do it, but keep in mind another Mike Mohn might be out there just waiting for the chance.”  I did, and reluctantly turned down the offer a few days later.  The man who did it, had been praying for that chance, did a great job, and went on to be a chaplain for a few years.  We were all blessed, by my just listening to God.  I was going to be blessed either way, in trusting Him many others were blessed also.  A lesson learned, worth repeating.
Tuesday I had decided to go riding.  The Street Triple tank was full, it was 85 degrees with a tail wind, and I was more than ready.  Hungry, I set off for Temecula, and ate at Flame Broiler.  Not sure which way to ride, I kept asking God which road I should take.  Three times He told me “ride to Gabriel.”  But that was 70 miles the other way, by freeway, and I would be in San Diego that night to teach.  And it was too late to start back.  But after three times, I did as He asked.  Riding 70 miles in 54 minutes, and surprising Gabe who was overwhelmed at the Pantry.  He was overjoyed to see me, and kept telling me “I guess God does hear my prayers after all.”  And I am glad again that I heard the voice of God, and trusted and obeyed.  Both of us were blessed, I again had listened to God, putting Him and others before me, and was doubly blessed.  Another lesson worth repeating.
God often reminds me “just do what I ask,”  and He’ll handle the rest.  But all too often I think I have to be busy doing God’s work, when really I am stealing a blessing from what God wants me to do.  Or worse yet, missing a blessing by my selfish duty.  Life isn’t all about me.  Jesus tells us to rest, which doesn’t mean be lazy, it means rest.  We get too busy trying to be about God’s work, when we are really just trying to please Him by saying “look what I’m doing Lord.”  As if Jesus didn’t notice anyway.  And a quick way to get your eyes off of Him, and onto you.  We are told that obedience is better than sacrifice, where do we find the time to do it over, when we didn’t have time to do it right in the first place?  Plus how do you know God doesn’t have other things for you to do, that He can help you with?  Or that maybe He just wants to spend the day with you riding?  And you think I have to do such and such?  This week for me it was riding 30 miles in the wrong direction, then having to double back, and go to San Diego twice in one day.  I got my ride in, but freeways and riding-yuk.  But I was blessed, Gabe was blessed, and God again showed me how important it is to listen, obey, and trust Him.  He knows what is best, so why don’t I always trust Him?  Or at least ask, even if I don’t obey?
In the above example, the old man needed help, and knew where to turn.  Tom wanted to ditch work, and knew where to turn.  The old man was blessed, Tom was happy until it was discovered it wasn’t him who painted the fence.  His aunt was cheesed off, so were his friends, and any enjoyment he might have had was short lived.  And the fence will need painting again someday-sooner than he thinks!  Although it may be true many hands make light work, why not put your life in the hands that took the nails on the cross?  That prove they can do the job, and died so you can be blessed, and a blessing.  So you can look to Christ, who has a great plan for your life, if only you ask.  But asking isn’t enough, it is the answer that chooses you to make a decision.  And that is where knowing Him personally comes in.  The more you know someone, the more you can trust them.  Get to know Jesus, trust Him because He is trustworthy.  Life is tough, don’t make it any tougher.  Stupid hurts for a reason, and self inflicted wounds seem to hurt the most.  I wish I could say I trust God all the time, but fortunately He is merciful and forgiving when I don’t.  But I’m getting better, and He is patient to me.  I wonder how patient Tom’s friends were with him?
To some this may just be Tom Sawyer revisited, or gardening tips form New Jersey.  For you I hope you consider Jesus this morning before you go about your day.  Which leaves me only one question unanswered. Did the old man ever thank the FBI for the free work they did?  Gives the saying “Hi I’m from the government and here to help” a whole new meaning.  Jesus is easier, and no warrant needed.  Trust on today.  And Ballerini, how does your garden grow?
love with compassion,
MIke
matthew25biker.com