Several weeks ago, I wrote about a mowing experience (See “Look Well to Each Step”) where I made a decision that resulted in quite a muddy mess for Sister Collins and I. The near entombment of our mowers in axle deep mud was a result of my ignoring a gentle impression I had received and then ignored. Had I acted on that impression, our afternoon probably would have turned out quite a bit differently.

     Today, I had another experience with receiving a “gentle impression” while mowing lawns. This time, fortunately, I listened. I was mowing several new sections of the Smith family farm, sections we normally don’t mow. They included areas with several small groups of trees that border a field we lease to a local farmer. Whenever the farmer cuts this field, we mow the grass borders around these trees so the entire property has a consistent look.

     As I approached one of the tree sections, I noticed that one of the trees in the group had several low hanging branches that I would have to pass through in order to mow under them. Sometimes in these situations, I just reach up with one of my hands while mowing and lift the branches high enough so I can pass under them. Of course when I do this, the branches usually fall all over my head and shoulders, but I’m usually going slow enough that this doesn’t cause any problems. This time I felt a prompting to hold back and take a closer look. I parked my mower, walked over to the overhanging branches, and was astonished by what I found. Below, is a picture. The tree is a honey locust, and those thorns are three inches long. I can only imagine what would have happened had I tried to pass through them. Self impalement is not a recommended activity for senior missionaries! 

     As I considered the experience, I was grateful for the prompting I had followed and mindful of the blessing I had received by acting on it. After a moment, a thought of Elijah, an Old Testament prophet, came to mind. In 1 Kings 19:11-13, God speaks to Elijah but not in a way one might expect from a being who created and controls the universe. God is all powerful, but as this story relates, he speaks to his children with a quiet voice. If we listen closely and act on the  promptings we receive, we can discover just how involved God is in our lives. He was today in mine.

1 Kings 19:11-13

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?