Gerry Suttle lived in Riesel, Texas. Her husband had died and her children did not live nearby, so she lived alone. One day, she was very surprised to receive a call from the chief of police. He explained to her that the city had sent her a letter a few weeks before telling her that she needed to appear before a judge. He further explained that it was the law in their city that a homeowner’s grass could be no taller than 18 inches! The reason for this was so that rodents and snakes would not have a place to breed, and also tall grass and weeds looked unsightly. Because she didn’t appear before the judge, an arrest warrant had to be sent out.
Poor Gerry! She said she had never received the letter. The problem was the lot she owned where the grass was much taller than 18 inches was across the street. Yet another problem was that being 75 years of age, she was not physically able to mow the grass. Gerry was very worried—what could she do?
Boys and girls, Gerry wasn’t strong enough to mow her lawn. And we have no strength to save ourselves from our sins and a lost eternity of punishment in hell for our sins. That is why God sent His dear Son Jesus to suffer and die for our sins on a cruel cross. “When we were yet without strength, in due time [at the right time] Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)). When we put our trust in Him, His shed blood cleanses us from all our sins and makes us ready for heaven. Have you trusted the Lord Jesus as your Savior?
The next day after the news report, the Reynolds brothers, who did not know Gerry and had never met her, showed up in her yard with their push lawn mowers, weed whackers and trimmers to cut the lawn and tall grass. When the boys were asked later about their hard work, Blaine Reynolds said, “We haven’t met her yet, but she’s 75 years old and needs some help mowing. That’s the least we could do.” His brother Brandon added, “I really wouldn’t want her coming out here and doing it, or paying someone else to do the job when we could have done it for free!”
It was not an easy job! Texas has hot summers, and it was June and well over 90 degrees! There was also a lot of grass to mow—two acres of it! And it was hard work for young hands to push a mower through very tall grass. Hedges and bushes also needed to be trimmed.
As the boys began to work, people began to gather. Two young men were so impressed with what the boys were doing that they decided they would also like to help. So they went home and got their riding mowers. With all of this help, they got the job finished in just two hours!
Gerry could not believe her eyes when she looked out the window and saw four young people all mowing the grass for her. She could hardly find words to express her thankfulness and appreciation for what they had done for her!
Because the grass had been cut, hedges and bushes trimmed and weeds pulled out, Gerry was able to call the police and tell them the job had been finished. Eventually all charges were dropped against her, and her case was dismissed—all because of four young people who saw a need and took action.
When we receive God’s free gift of salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus, we receive a new nature that wants to please God by doing what is right and good. “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:2424And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24)). Not only will we have a good effect on others, but the Bible tells us there is a reward for doing that! “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:33And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)).
Boys and girls, if you belong to the Lord Jesus, you can be one of those “that turn many to righteousness” by telling others about God’s free gift of salvation. Will you do that?