Hello ICC Family!
Because of all the rain we had last week and the wet conditions in general, our grass has been getting a little tall and everything has just looked a little overgrown. Yesterday it was overcast and a little less hot and humid than it has been for some time, so I decided to get to work out in the yard. Despite it raining a little off and on, I cut the front lawn, weed-eated, edged, weeded the flower beds, pruned the big azalea, and trimmed the ornamental trees. Laurel got home from work and I kept going, trying to completely finish in the front yard, knowing that I wouldn’t have time to do anything with the back yard probably until the weekend or even next Monday. After four hours, I had caught up with everything in the front except trimming the hedges in front of the windows. They are still way overgrown, but I was exhausted - soaking wet from the rain and sweat.
I thought it looked pretty good, and was heading inside with that feeling you get when a task is complete and everything is in order. I stopped to say hi to our neighbor on the way in, though. And she mentioned that the day before a lady walking by asked if anybody lived in our house. Apparently. the lady thought it looked so overgrown that she wondered if the owners had moved.
Instantly my feelings went from being very pleased to very annoyed. It is clear that I still have way too much of a people-pleasing inclination if some dated comment from a mystery lady can change my entire mood. But after reflection, the thought that has brought me comfort is that I am so glad that the Lord sees me and knows me perfectly.
The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
How terrible it would be if God was like this mystery lady. What a bunch of Pharisees we would all end up being - making sure that everything appears just right on the outside, while all kinds of thoughts could be in our minds and all kinds of misbehavior could be happening behind the scenes! David did not look like the typical king. And he didn’t have a typical king-like personality or interests. And he wasn’t even perfect in character or behavior. Nevertheless, God called him a man after his own heart. He tried to honor the Lord in all things and was quick to repent when he failed.
So, I take comfort knowing that I am doing my best to keep things up in the yard. My intentions and efforts are right. My next-door neighbor knows me better and defended my honor with the mystery lady. This quick interaction was just a little reminder to take comfort that God sees us perfectly, as well as a challenge to make sure we try to see people more fully (and gracefully) as well…
It will be good to see our brothers and sisters tonight at prayer meeting after missing last week. Please join us at 5:45 for dinner and 6:15 for prayer. The young adults are not meeting this evening and will start again in September. Pray for them and please continue to pray for Sister Jan and the Reeves family.
Blessings to you all. And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
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