In contrast, my grandparent’s home was known and recognized for the perfect rose bushes lining the driveway, the trellis of creeping roses that grew up and around their front porch, and the vibrant forsythia that outlined the hill at the edge of the property. An enormous mighty oak, a grove of dogwoods, two large apple tree’s, and a corkscrew willow work to provide beautiful evidence that a great gardener’s hand had been at work.My next door neighbor to my left is an avid gardener. There is not an inch of her yard that isn’t planned, pruned, and perfected with nature’s beauty. My next door neighbor to my right is a successful landscaper. He hadn’t moved in before a troop of employees descended upon his house; leaving behind a horticultural masterpiece in a matter of hours.
And then there is our house.
Two and a half years after moving into the neighborhood, I’m ashamed to say our
backyard is a mess of mud, a half-completed retaining wall, tools, and an open trailer laden with a load of gravel. It’s been a work in progress for the past four months. Our front yard has a few builder installed bushes, but there is really no curb appeal happening here. We dream and believe that better yard days are coming, but I can’t stop feeling like the worst neighbor. I worry about what Avid Gardener and Landscaper think and the disappointment they must feel when driving into their picturesque driveways.Then, the unexpected blessings occurred. Arriving home late one afternoon last week, Avid Gardener stopped to tell me how much she enjoyed having me next door and she was serious about the Facebook invitation for a night out for dinner -- her treat -- in honor of my birthday.
The next day, I opened the car door to see that my lawn had been aerated. I looked up in time to see Landscaper getting out of his work truck. He waved.
I swallowed my pride and asked, “I don’t suppose you know how my lawn got aerated, do you?”
“I sure do,” he answered.
I questioned, “Just how did it happen?”
“Galatians 6:10,” was his simple reply as he began to walk toward me.
He came over with his Bible and told me that he had been studying that week and Galatians 6:10 was pressed on his heart.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
In the middle of a week that had me so stressed with busyness that I thought my head would spin off; I received such wonderful affirmations. To the left and right of me are friends who love me and my family. They are looking out for us in love, respect, and compassion. They are good and decent people. Their kindnesses make me want to be a better neighbor, a better person, a better friend.
And maybe a few lessons in horticulture wouldn’t hurt.
1 comment:
Rebecca,
That was beautifully written!
You have a gift with words. I can relate to having some of the same feelings reagarding: "yard guilt". Then I just try to remember that in today's world, too much emphasis is put on trivial matters. Finally, we planted some flowers and I felt better. The grass needs reseeding. Yet, not all of us have the money to have a perfectly manicured yard. So I have let go of the guilt. I remind myself that I am doing the best I can, for now. Just like I told my students in the past, do your best and don't worry about the rest. We are so lucky to have wonderful neighbors! I may be a few more doors down, yet let me know if ya need me. Smiles!
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