Recently Guitar Daddy underwent some surgery and although he is healing nicely and has been back at work for a week now, there are still some regular tasks around our home that he still is unable to do. Mowing the lawn is one of them. Let's just say our yard pretty much looks like a jungle. I certainly am capable of mowing, although I do not have a long list of experience in lawn care and maintenance, truth be told. I really can only attempt to mow when Guitar Daddy is home which leaves after 7 pm weeknights or Saturdays so he can watch the kiddies.
Late this afternoon I heard a lawnmower running only to realize it was my kindly neighbor sacrificing her time after work to mow our lawn. Naturally I ran out and asked what was going on. With a smirk on her face, she mentioned she saw me last Saturday attempting to mow. I couldn't help but chuckle a bit too. It was pretty bad. Knowing about Guitar Daddy's hospital stay, she said, "That's what neighbors are for". She continued to remind me that in the past she was a member of our church and although she is not currently practicing that is "just what we do - you know".
We all know of the great joy in serving others and how it not only lightens the load and uplifts others, but brightens our own hearts as well. I'm learning how difficult it is however to be on the receiving end of such service. It is easy to put up fronts, pretend we are fine and all is good, pushing away the kind offers and generous inquiries of those who care. I suppose this is indeed pride. So, after pushing away so many, as hard as it was I allowed my neighbor to mow the lawn. I'm sure it brought her much gladness in her service, our lawn looks like we actually live here, and I feel loved.
