Functionality

As soon as my husband and I had a house with a yard, we purchased our first lawn mower. It cost $60 from TG&Y and lasted for about twelve to fifteen years. There was nothing fancy about it. The only thing I ever remember us having to do to that mower was sharpen the blade.

photo from Atkinson Heritage Center archives, Rose State College

When we got rid of it, the mower was still working. By that time, I had finally convinced my husband that I enjoyed doing yard work. He decided to buy me a new self-propelled mower to make that job easier. Since then we have run through six or seven of those shiny, fancy mowers with all the bells and whistles. Every few years, we have to buy another one.

All I really need or want is a mower that works. I have found myself truly missing that first ugly, functional mower. Although it was an inanimate object, I felt like it obeyed my commands. Unlike those other mowers that I could never sweet talk to finish the job, that simple mower did what it was designed to do. It would cut through anything. All I had to do was push.

Just like my mowers, appearances can be deceiving in people. Some of the most unassuming men and women I have known are the hardest workers. They simply get the job done. Others appear to be in charge and successful on the outside, but they are not very productive at all - it is mostly for show.

God knows the difference. He knows those who really trust Him will obey Him and do what He asks.

God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart...."What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (1 Samuel 16:7,  John 6:28-29 NAS).