Ecclesiastes 3:1, from the New King James Version of the Bible, says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”

Last month will be recorded in the history books (yeah, right) for my turning another year older. I have now seen 79 years of life. Honest, I don’t remember what I saw from birth to age 5, but you get my drift.

I was enjoying the fuss that Nancy was making over me. I read and appreciated the cards, texts, and e-mails from friends and family. I even got a couple of barks from Fiona and Brady, as well as a loud meow from Cleo. Since I used the word “honest” earlier, I must confess that Fiona and Brady just wanted their breakfast, and Cleo wanted me to entertain her with her favorite toy. Still, their attention was valued.

As quoted from the above scripture, “To everything there is a season.” Our lives are indeed seasonal, from the optimism and energy of youth to the mellowing and perspective of our senior years; the many seasons of experiences, joy, and sorrow are relevant.

Another thing not so easy to accept is that advancing age dictates physical limitations. Although not particularly skilled with mechanics and craftsmanship, I’ve always had a good work ethic. I’ve done hard manual labor. I’ve sacrificed time with family because my job required it. I’ve followed, and I’ve led. I’ve taken orders, and I’ve given orders. Now I do what Nancy tells me to do.

Recently, I’ve had injuries to the muscles in my neck and back. I can’t even tell a heroic or semi-heroic story about how I injured myself. For all I know, I slept wrong. Even before my body betrayed me, I struggled mowing my lawn a couple of weeks ago, mostly with the berms that I’ve written about in past articles.

But enough about me. This article is about brothers in Christ who, knowing my physical limitations and seeing my grass grow to within jungle- type limits, have offered to mow it for me.

Yesterday, as I went out to my front yard after returning from a doctor’s appointment, my eyes saw what it took my mind a few seconds to acknowledge. My lawn had been mowed during the hour or more I was gone.

Nancy was home at the time and told me that she heard the sound of mowing from the front yard. When she went out, a man from our church was making his way through the tall weeds and grass.

Nothing would give me more pleasure than to mention this brother by name, but I don’t have his permission, and knowing this individual, would, out of humility, not want me to mention it. He’s a Christian brother, and that’s what Christians do.

There were two times last year when I was incapacitated and had to use a cane to walk, and two Deacons from my church mowed my lawn. Again, there was no phone call to ask; they came by, did the job, and left. Again, this is what Christians often do.

They see a need and set about addressing it. We have a widows’ ministry. Our church has a recovery program. Other churches in the community are also present where needed. Why? Because Christ’s last two commandments are, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-39, NIV) They don’t ask for compensation or reciprocal favors. They aren’t seeking acclaim or even acknowledgment for the gift of their time and labor. They are carrying out what the Lord has commanded. Loving those in need as God loves all His creation.

Though I may moan about my declining physical prowess, I know there are those who, following Christ’s leading, have been and will continue to follow the example that He set for us all.