Have you ever given a quick answer during Sunday School and then thought: “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that?” In our class, we’ve been studying the book of Zechariah. Our teacher was reading over the first chapter when he stopped to discuss the verse 1:20 (KJV): “And the Lord shewed me four carpenters.” He also used the term craftsmen and asked what we thought of when we heard that word. I immediately pipped up: “Sears!”
Are you wondering why I did that? You see, it brought back memories of my papaw. He was a huge fan of Craftsman tools and they were sold by Sears. Almost every time my grandparents went shopping there, Papaw would buy a new Craftsman tool. He would be so excited that it was almost like watching a child get a new toy. That being said, Papaw was always in a hurry to move onto something else. Because of this, he would often leave his tools out after he finished using them. I don’t know how many times he ran over them with his tractor, farm truck, and cars. Laughing about it, he would pick them up and say: “Ah, it’ll be alright.” I have often said that was his life’s motto.
After Sunday school, Tim and I started reminiscing about Papaw. Tim told me a story that I had completely forgotten. As you may know, we used to live next door to my grandparents. Tim and I offered to help with their yard work. On this one day, Papaw decided he was going to mow before we got in from work. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate the help, but he wanted to do it himself.
At that time, he had a Snapper mower. As he was mowing, he realized it wasn’t cutting the grass the way he thought it should, so he decided to sharpen the blades. Now, there were two rods on the back of the lawn mower. For one, they would hold the bagger, which held the cut grass until you were ready to dump it. We always tossed it over the fence in the same place. So, when the cows heard the lawn mower, they would come running to that spot.
The rods’ other purpose was to stabilize the mower when it was stood up right. That way you had access to the blades. Again, being in a hurry, when Papaw stood up the lawn mower, he didn’t close the gas valve on top of the gas tank. This tank sat behind the seat. So, when the mower was stood upright, some of the gas leaked down onto the hot muffler. Of course, it ignited. Actually, I think engulfed in flames may be a better term. When Tim got home, he saw the still upright charred mower remains. Papaw simply told him: “Well, I guess I’ll have to get a new lawn mower.” He immediately went to Sears and bought a new Craftsman mower.
“The thought of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” Proverbs 21:5 (KJV)
Needless to say, Papaw’s being in a hurry cost him a lawn mower. In all honesty, I have often been in a rush myself, especially when I was younger. Now, when I feel I need to hurry, I try to stop, take a breath, and pray about it. You know what? It works.
I realized that even though I often talk about Mamaw Jo and Papaw, I don’t think I have posted a picture of them. So, I used one of my favorite pictures of me with them. It was taken on Easter Sunday 1973. That was about twenty-five years before the lawn mower was toasted.
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.