Labor Day started early.  But, I began the day with a smile.   I woke up before my alarm rang.  Today was a holiday.  We take a day off to remember everyone who works hard to make this country great and to care for our families.

Before my neighborhood woke up I wanted to sneak in a little yard work.  Just after sunrise I grabbed my tools and attacked weeds, stray bushes, unwanted plants and wild growth in my front yard landscape.  I was a vegimatic, chopping foilage left and right.

My pruners and lopping shears were snapping and cutting.  It wasn’t long before the sweat was pouring off of my head.  My shirt could have been wrung out and used to water the lawn. 

But there is something very gratifying about the pride of home ownership.  Knowledge and time are my main nemesises.  I really don’t have a lot of expertise when it comes to what an arborvitist spends a lifetime to learn.  My ministry demands don’t leave me a lot of time nor energy to keep on top of my yard work either.

To be quite frank I had an extra boost in my motivation.  My neighborhood association sent me a letter requiring attention to my yardwork.  If I didn’t not comply in a specified period of time then I would be subject to financial penalties.  Friendly group, eh?

I love my home.  After travelling to different parts of the world, preaching my heart out before thousands and helping people all over our country, I enjoy coming home to my castle and relaxing.  Over the years I have kept up my home nicely.  It was aggrivating to receive a critical letter with the threat of a fine for noncompliance.

I took a couple of days to let my annoyance dilute itself.  There was nothing on the list from the Association that I wouldn’t want to do nor had not planned to do.  But, the intrusion was insulting.

Oh, well, if these people wanted to flex their negative influence there was very little that I could do.  I jumped into my yardwork because I wanted to do it.  Furthermore, I enjoyed doing it for my own personal delight. 

Most likely I won’t receive a letter of commendation, appreciation or admiration for my great looking yard.  I wonder if neighborhood associations are familiar with the adage “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”