Mowing to country music
The last few times I've mowed, I've listened to country music. It's been an amazing combination. Mowing is therapeutic for me. It's one of the few things that I do in life that I get to see instant results. There's something quietly satisfying about a freshly mown yard. The smell, the evenness, the green carpet on display all combine to create an restful sense of accomplishment.
A few weeks ago, I began listening to country music while I mowed. Recently, Luke Bryan's song Pray About Everything came on, and with a head full of to-do's, projects, relational needs, wishes, stresses, goals, dreams, concepts and vision, I needed to hear this:
Yeah, take a walk, take a breath Oh, give it all a rest Take a cane pole to the fishing hole And catch a couple fish And just like that toss 'em back And make a little wish
Don't worry 'bout nothing Let it go, see what tomorrow brings Don't worry 'bout it stress about it, fret about it Don't worry 'bout nothing Let it go, see what tomorrow brings Don't worry 'bout nothing Pray about everything [full lyrics here]
I've never been a fisherman. I don't have the patience for it, I'm afraid. But as Luke crooned into my headphones, it was not fishing per se that he sang of. Rather, it was simplicity.
Country songs are saturated with lyrics about back roads, sunsets, pine trees and fishing. We need reminding to rise above our routines. To see a beautiful world that is not defined by projects and ambitions. A world in which the sun rises and sets on routine. Where seasons are faithful - flowers bloom and leaves fall. We need reminding that activity can be the enemy of simplicity.
Jesus would have made a good country singer. He offered up these great lyrics as eternal truth:
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6.34 NLT)
And to an activity-prone, Type A sister, the fisher of men offered:
"..you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary." (Luke 10.41-42)
If this post encouraged you... you are always free to come mow my yard. ;)
https://youtu.be/NLs8FamXyOo