Leopard Grass - Cool!

Is that what you call it?  I have no idea.  But I realize when that is the time that I finally get a break from mowing my front yard because it goes speckled.  If you have bermuda grass then you know what I am talking about.  There is some magical day when you drive up and notice that your grass is neither brown (dormant) nor all green but it literally looks like the skin of a leopard. 

Not only does the grass cutting go away but the yardwork all but ceases to be required for five months.  When I was younger, leopard grass brought freedom from the chores of my father.  Even when we owned our first homes, leopard grass brought freedom from the guilt of not really caring for my yard.  I am older now and for years I have loved the challenge, the design, the beauty, the work of the hands, and the result of time invested.  My yard tools have improved and my skills are better.  There are beds, hills, flowers, gardens and grass.  I fight the crabgrass and the schedule of mowing as I am busy in ministry and travelling.  The seven months of creation and maintenance have their many frustrations and their joys.  I like my yard and have a picture of what it should be in 10 years.  There are successes and failures and their is little eternity in either.

Leopard grass, though, still brings freedom.  The freedom is not from the chore or the guilt but just freedom of change.  As much as I like the yard, I like a period of not having to do it.  I like a period of rest that is just long enough to make me want to do yardwork again.  I like a break that somewhere in the middle gets me doodling that new flower bed design on a napkin.  I don't feel guilty for wanting a break but rather I enjoy the break that nature gave me.  Sure, I do other things that need to be done during the break.  Sure, I am still a productive human being - but the break is most excellent.

I am a bit older of a leader nowadays and I realized somewhere along the way to enjoy the breaks that God's Nature brings us.  The rest of the seventh day brings no guilt for me but great enjoyment.  The rest provided by God when the sun goes down brings no regret but hours spent with the people I love.  Work hard while it is light and work hard for the six days - but - find freedom in rest.  Find new creativity by not working all the time.  Rest like it was meant to be and find a longing to work again.  Rest because it is natural from the very Nature of God.

You will be a much better leader.