I really enjoy working out of doors. I’m not very good at it. If we ever have a beautifully landscaped property it will have been created by someone else. But, my gardening tools and I have a great time tearing vines out of trees and hacking down small bushes. And, because we live on about 6 acres of heavily treed land, I have lots of space to work my “magic.”

These fall Saturdays are perfect for yard work. The weather is pretty good where we live and many of the wild plants are dying. So, even raking the pine straw up makes it look like I have worked really hard, even if I haven’t.

I like to work in what I call “the back forty.” This part of our property is pretty wild. There are no walking paths or grass to be mowed. But, I love working here. Several times I have “discovered” mature Star Magnolia trees that I have “liberated” from nasty vines. And, I can’t really hurt anything. Any bush that I cut down will start growing back immediately. It’s a great project for a “gardener” like me!

One day, I was doing my thing, pulling down vines, lopping off small branches, tearing down low bushes and then it happened. I was tugging on some tangled vines that went high into the trees. Suddenly, the vines let loose and a huge ball of “stuff” came hurdling toward me. I looked up to see the dark form fast approaching, I dropped my gardening tools, started screaming and ran as fast as I could.

You see, I had been day dreaming. (My kind of gardening doesn’t require my full attention.) In the single moment that the vines had been freed and brought a large pine branch with them, my mind saw what was not there. Instead of seeing vines and a branch, my mind created the image of a man jumping out of the trees headed right for me. I was positive that I was under attack!!

After a few seconds, I realized that I was being a complete idiot. The trees near me could never support the weight of a man. And, no person would want to be in the trees in our back forty. It was crazy that my mind had created that image and even crazier that I, a “reasonably sane” person, would think for even a moment that the image was real.

After I realized that I was fine, I looked around the yard and then headed into the house. John was working in his office; I came to the door asked as casually as I could, “Wow, did you hear that woman screaming a couple of minutes ago?” He looked up from the computer monitor and said, “No, I didn’t. Was that woman you?”   I felt a little like Lucille Ball when Desi would say, “Lucy, You’ve got some explaining to do.” But, John is so much kinder that Desi ever was. As I nodded, yes, he got up and hugged me. He asked “Are you OK?” He didn’t need to know why I had screamed; he was just concerned that something had scared me.

What a silly dope I am.   And, what an amazing man God has put into my life.

I am reminded of the Phil Wickham song, “This is amazing grace.”

“This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You lay down Your life

That I would be set free

Oh, Jesus, I sing for

 All that You’ve done for me.”

Maybe you find yourself worried about dangers that don’t exist or dangers that do exist. Today is a good day to make plans to attend a house of worship tomorrow and talk it over with the Father – the one who loves us most.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent people He saves me. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:2-4)

Enjoy the entire Phil Wickham song today at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7KVCGQRyQ