Back when the kids were here, we took them to our local “trades day” gathering. It’s really a nice way to spend a Saturday morning, with local crafts people selling their wares alongside junk sellers, garden nurseries, horse tack and western wear, and food trucks with barbeque and other Texas deliciousness.

We are finishing our outdoor area under the trees, and have the hammock up and the fire pit built, but we’ve been looking for chairs to put around the pit. There was a local guy there who was selling his handmade Adirondack chairs, but these were gliders. Well-made and quite heavy, we were sold. We put our deposit down and set about waiting for them to be built.

Delivery day was yesterday. The fire pit area is a ways from the drive, so I had scouted out an area of lawn over which he could pull his truck and trailer without hitting sprinkler heads, allowing him to unload them right at the site. But when I showed him where to go, he declined.

It’s not that far. I’ll just carry them.

Standing at the truck looking at those heavy, awkward-to-carry gliders, then looking back at the fire pit, I countered.

Seriously, please drive on up. That distance is going to feel a lot longer when you’re trying to wrestle one of those chairs. It’s really fine.

But no. Afraid of damaging the lawn (we live in the country, for Pete’s sake…it’s not exactly a blanket of lush, manicured green), he still declined.

So I watched. I watched him pick up the beautiful chair, struggle to get it braced, because, hey it’s a glider with moving parts, then trek across the uneven ground to the fire pit area. It seriously took him almost half an hour to unload four chairs, and afterward, I realized Frank Sinatra was belting out “I did it MY WAY” in my head.

Having made my own way to the fire pit with him to point out chair placement, I walked back to the truck, after the last one was unloaded, to pay him our balance. He was soaked through with sweat, and breathing so heavy he could barely talk. I went and got him a bottle of water. Then, when I returned he said…

You know, that is a lot longer distance than I thought, and the ground is pretty uneven. Maybe I should’ve listened to you.

Yeah. Maybe.

He drove off, and I thought of all the times God’s showed me His way, and I basically said, “No, thank you,” and starting belting out Frank’s song. And you know what happens every time? I end up saying this…

You know, that is a lot longer distance than I thought, and the ground is pretty uneven. Maybe I should’ve listened to you.

I’m pretty sure He answers, “Yeah. Maybe.”

Suddenly, I’m not shaking my head and rolling my eyes over the chair-maker anymore, because suddenly, the sweaty, out-of-breath, sheepish guy that’s driving off is me.

“But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28 ESV

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 ESV

“Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:30 MSG