“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2
It is starting to get hot outside. The days are getting longer. The spring rains have begun to fall. That means it is time to mow the lawn! For many, mowing the lawn is just another one of the ordinary, mundane tasks that we do during the warmer months. For some, mowing the lawn is a far-too-difficult task. Between the cost of equipment and the physical demands of the actual labor, mowing can be challenging.
Spencer B. is the owner and operator of SB Mowing in Wichita, KS. He knows how much labor is involved in mowing; after all, he has been running his own mowing service since he was 12 years old. Spencer is now 24 and newly married. Spencer paid for his college by mowing lawns. He has no plans to stop mowing. This is just one way that Spencer exercises his entrepreneurial spirit.
Last year, Spencer watched a video online about another professional mowing lawns for free. It inspired him to see what he could do to help. He decided to take one day a week to knock on doors of homes that looked like they needed some help. Many of the yards have not been cared for in a long, long time. Spencer said, “If they were to pay someone to do it, it’s going to cost them a few hundred bucks at least.” It often results in the city fining them a bunch of money on their property taxes. People are so glad when they realize that it will be for free.
To help offset the cost of his work, Spencer films the transformations of these yards (with the homeowner’s permission). He does it to help inspire others to do good. You see, the yard is the first thing you see with your home. Spencer says, “It makes them feel good about themselves and where they live.” It may take hours to complete a yard, but the workers at SB Mowing have found tremendous joy in giving back to their community.
Recently, they learned about a local veteran who needed some help. They offered to mow his yard. Spencer and everyone at SB mowing also used their substantial reach on social media to rally the community to help. It took a few days, but they were able to transform his yard, as well as raise $10,000 to help him get back on his feet. This wonderful gift was received with tremendous gratitude. When asked how he felt about his yard and the gift the homeowner said, “Thank you, it means so much to me. I know I’m loved.” The homeowner had been living without utilities for a couple of months. This gift from SB mowing and the community truly changed his life.
God has given each of us gifts to use. For Spencer, his hard work and ability to run a business has opened a door to serve in a unique and wonderful way. Thankfully, Spencer saw an opportunity to use some of his time and talents in a new way. He has truly begun to change lives. We each have the capacity to bless others and change lives. When we connect our talents with a passion to love and serve others, there is no limit to how we will change the world.
-Rev. Keith King Pastor of Worship
