Everyday Evangelism

Every once in a while Dan Carter comes to mess around in our yard.  Sometimes he's checking up on the church. Sometimes he's repairing the church lawn mower.  But mostly when he comes, it's to mow the lawn.  It's a great service to our congregation and we're lucky to have Dan do it.

Every time Dan Carter comes over to mow the lawn, I know about it within 30 seconds of him starting.  No, we don't have security cameras screening the yard.  We have a four-year-old boy.  Derek loves lawn mowing.  Along with race cars and girls named Mattie, it's one of his passions in life.  As soon as he hears a lawn mower start anywhere within three blocks his ears perk up.  "Somebody's mowing the lawn!" he'll say.  Then he'll run to the window to see if it's anybody he knows, what kind of mower they're using, etc.

When Dan Carter comes to mow the lawn, Derek is priceless.  I'll hear, "Somebody's mowing the lawn!"  Then he'll run to the window and look out.  All of a sudden his body goes rigid as if you shot a few hundred volts of electricity through him and set off a firecracker in his feet.  "It's DAAAAYANNN!  It's DAAAAAYAANNN!  He's mowing OUR LAWN!!!"

(If you imagine Forrest Gump as a four-year-old sounding really happy to see Lieutenant Dan you'll get the pronunciation of that name about right.)

At that point Derek makes like Wile E. Coyote in one of the old Road Runner cartoons.  His feet start running way before the rest of his body catches up.  He scrambles for his socks and shoes...the MOWING shoes, the ones that he can get grassy and dirty.  Then he dashes for his ear protecting headphones.  He slaps them on his head, looking for all the world like one of those guys on an airport tarmac directing planes.  These things look huge on him, but he doesn't care.  He darts to the door and outside.  I stay at the window, watching him run across the lawn.  Usually Dan hasn't even had time to make one pass before Derek is there.

My son runs across the lawn, body still arcing with excitement.  Then he gets a little ways away from Dan and stops.  I can only see him from the back, but you can see the hope and expectation in his posture.  Only Christmas and his birthday do it for him like this.  He stands a few feet away from where Dan's riding, partially because he knows not to get too close to a running lawn mower and partially because...well...it's not dad on that mower.  When dad's mowing the lawn he just jogs out there confidently, knowing that I'm going to pick him up.  But this is Dan.  He's hoping so hard that Dan will stop for him, but he knows it's still a question, not a certainty.

There's always this moment, an in-between time when he's fully ready but still waiting for a "Yes".  He realizes now that Dan sees him.  He freezes. The world freezes, really.  You can see time stop for him.  He's still unsure.  The question isn't answered yet.  He might have to turn around and go back in if Dan doesn't want him.  Tick...tick...tick...

Then Dan smiles and waves him over, scooping him up onto his lap.  Derek grabs the wheel alongside Dan's hands and off they go.  Derek's posture is so straight, like he's working now, but his smile is so giddy, like he just got on the best roller coaster ride in the world.  He leans back into Dan and they mow...a dream come true, every time.

Now tell me, is Dan just mowing the lawn or is something greater going on here?

On the surface it's just a task.  Lawn needs mowing, Dan's being a good guy, now grass is short.  It happens dozens of times around town every weekend.

But through the eyes of faith, what a marvelous moment this is, and what evangelism.  Look at all Dan is doing!  By giving his time and effort in the first place he's showing he cares about the church and its people.  That's the part everybody understands and is grateful for.  But my gosh, what is he doing for Derek with just a wave and a smile?  Every time Dan turns the key on that mower it's like announcing the best news ever to my son.  It transforms Derek's day.  He gets all prepared in an instant.  He runs out hoping, expecting that he might find joy and acceptance and someone to share both.  With that simple gesture saying, "Come on up!" Dan confirms all of it.  The world is a good place.  Wonderful things can be found right outside your window.  People are glad to see you.  People want to share things with you.  You are welcomed.  You are loved.  Today really is the best day ever!!!

Can you think of better ideals to teach a kid?  Can you think of a more potent message to counter all the world's ills that Derek is eventually going to experience?  And can you think of a simpler or more natural way to teach it?

Plus, you know, Dan is now a legend around our house.  Like practically a saint.  I think Derek is commissioning a statue of him next Tuesday.

Don't mistake the importance of seemingly ordinary events and small gestures in life.  The greatest lessons are taught through them.  Open your eyes of faith to see the miracles in every moment.  Both you and the people around you will be richly rewarded.

--Pastor Dave (pastordave@geneseelutheranparish.org)