Many years ago I was giving the lawn mower a tune-up for the newly arrived mowing season. It doesn't take much effort to change the oil, replace the spark plug, clean the air filter, and check nuts & bolts all around. Altogether it requires less than an hour's work. It's really an easy task unless there's something broken on the mower.
This one spring afternoon a boy came to me and ask if he could help. He lived a couple of doors down the street and was about seven years old. He was a nice boy who lived with his mother and older sister. I really did not need his help with tuning the mower, but he had a eager look in his eyes and smiled with anticipation after he finished asking.
I asked him if he knew how to use a wrench and he said, "Yep!" I would break the oil plug bolt loose and let him finish removing it to drain the oil. I'd thread the bolt and let him finish tightening it with his fingers. I did the same with the spark plug. I removed the air filter and let him wash it out with soap & water. He was anxious to put it back together and add the fresh motor oil. When I started the mower he had the biggest smile on his face and he jumped with joy.
With his help it probably took twice as long as if I had done the job myself, but he seemed to have fun helping. More importantly I learned an important lesson.
I learned that sometimes it's more important to have others help even when their help is not necessary. There are several reasons for this:
1.) It shows an act of kindness to both parties.
2.) It can teach a person a new skills or interests.
3.) It teaches humility.
4.) It can be fun to have others help.
5.) It teaches us a bit about God.
It teaches us a bit about God in that He asks us to do so many things that He could do Himself. He wants us to help. He does not need us to help. He wants us to help spread the gospel. In doing so we learn about God's love and mercy. We also realize more & more about God's holiness and justice.
So, to answer many non-Christians question about why doesn't God just show Himself to the world? Well, He did - Jesus. Nowadays He wants us to help. In doing so we learn so much and fall more & more in love with the one who loves us most. It's also an act of love on our part to tell others of the truth pertaining to God.
I don't remember this boy's name. I hope he turned out to be a good man. I hope he remembers the time when the old guy down the road let him help with the lawn mower.
