John 3:16

The year was 2009 and Amanda and I were at the tail end of the winter living in our first home. It was March, but Mother Nature was still showing her power…or would this be God? Do Christians believe in “Mother Nature?” Anyway, Fargo was suffering major flooding. Schools were canceled, businesses were closed and the FM area was in full force fighting the rising Red River. *Well, almost full force. Amanda and I decided to head out to the cabin with Aaron and Julie and Bob and Lois to relieve stress.

It had been a long winter with a lot of snow. Along with Fargo being pounded with 100 plus inches of the cute white fluffy stuff, my body took a pounding due to all the snow shoveling. We had a small single driveway, but the dynamics of our driveway made it extremely difficult to shovel snow. The driveway had our house directly to the north and our neighbor’s house directly to the south. For 40 feet, I had nowhere to put the snow. Thus, I had to load the snow into my pickup and then unload on the boulevard. In addition, large drifts formed on top of the house. Four times I had to shovel the snow off of the roof, into the pickup, and then to the boulevard. I had enough. It was time for a snow blower. I didn’t wait until March “to have enough.” I knew by early December I needed a snow blower. I didn’t want just any snow blower though. I wanted a snow intimidator. This machine should remove snow by me just starting it up. In order to afford such machine, I had to get through the winter shoveling and then hopefully find a good deal in the spring.

While we were at the cabin in March, another snow storm was about to hit the area. Due to our families having no kids and an abundant amount of time, we decided to venture to Detroit Lakes and waste some time. Our first stop took us to Menards. When I first walked into the store, I saw a light from the ceiling shining down on one particular portion of the store, but didn’t give it any thought. We walked around for a while and the light didn’t dissipate. My curiosity couldn’t resist. We made our way to the light and turned the corner...I fell to my knees. The light was meant for me. There it stood…Murray 1150. I could feel a force pulling me closer and closer to the snow blower…it was love at first sight. Due to the time of year, Murray 1150 was on sale and in my price range. Although in my price range, Murray 1150 was not in Amanda’s price range annnnnnnnnnd enter Aaron Schauer.  Aaron has an ability to convince Amanda (Julie’s sister) to do just about anything. If I need Amanda to do something for me, I stick Aaron on her. Aaron thought we should change Murray 1150 to “John 3:16.” Let’s turn John 3:16 into a machine of God. Not only will Tyler clear his driveway, but he will clear the neighbor’s driveway. He will clear the neighbor’s neighbor driveway. He will clear the road in front of the house. He will hop on I-94 and remove snow. I was motivated...works for me and the card was swiped.

Although Amanda was still frustrated, I had my snow blower. The cabin was hit with six inches of snow and John 3:16 came through. For 3 years, we had a neighbor that didn’t have access to a snow blower and John 3:16 came through. We had two neighbors across the street that were elderly and needed help…John 3:16 came through. Whenever I needed to pull the car out of a snow bank…I tied John 3:16 to the bumper and he came through…not really, but it makes for a great visual.  John 3:16 and I bond each time it snows. When it snows, the first song that comes to my head is “Cuts Like a Knife” by Bryan Adams. John 3:16 and I will continue to dominate the snow and help those in need.

Thank you Amanda for being patient and believing in the “vision.” Thank you Aaron for convincing my wife it was okay to spend the money on a piece of metal only a man would understand its value.

I am not trying to connect myself to the verse John 3:16 by any means. Please don’t interpet the above story as an arrogant way to say that only through my snow blower will I have eternal life. Naming the snow blower “John 3:16” was just a clever way to connect service to others as way to honor God. Although it was humor in naming the snow blower John 3:16, I truly do use it as motivation to serve others and God.

Moral of the story. Name a big purchase after a verse.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God Bless and thanks reading.

*In my defense, I had spent many hours filing sandbags at the Fargo Dome and area residences during the flood. By this time, we just wanted to get away, because we thought the Red was going to flood our home.