The lawn tractor just wouldn't stay started. It would crank, run a few seconds then die. I checked everything I knew to check: gas, battery cable connection, spark plug, and fuel line. Nothing seemed out of place, but then again, I am no mechanic. When I took it in to the repair shop, the guy took one listen to it and said, "Aw well, it ain't no big deal. It's just the timing." He took out a small tool, fiddled with something for a mere 10 seconds, started it up and she ran like a new machine. $15.00 later, I was on my way.

No big deal? Not to him. He knew how to fix it. All I knew was that something was wrong. I didn't know what but I knew where to take it to be fixed. Driving home I compared that situation to my life.

When something is wrong, I usually feel it. I think it to death, try to logically place it in a category, and try to figure out what to do, when to do it and how to do it. I want answers. I want sense of it all and I want to understand. Problem is, that never happens. All the pieces never seem to fall into place. At least to my liking. My prayers seem jumbled. Often they are pleas or begging. Sometimes angry and questioning. Always ending with a less than peaceful feeling that anyone heard them. And lately, not an answer in sight.

I unloaded the tractor, jumped on and fired her up. She started the first time, roared into gear and off we went to mow. As I jiggled along and cut the grass, I listened to the perfect roar of the engine, felt the steering wheel respond to my actions and got the job done without further incidence.

The next time I have problems, I need to take it to the master mechanic. Drop off the thing that needs fixed, let Her do her job and then be on my way.

Maybe I did get an answer today: "It's just the timing."