FINDING BEAUTY IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Jocelyn and I have lived in our home for 30 years. Previous to us, the owners planted wild rose bushes in the backyard flowerbeds bordering the property. Typically, the rose bushes bloom, and drop their petals all within two weeks. Up until this summer I’ve been too busy or travelling to be around at the height of their beauty. This summer, COVID, injury and health problems have confined me to home, and our backyard. Serendipitously, I discovered the beauty eluding me for decades.

Backyard Appeal

Funny, we purchased our home because Jocelyn fell in love with the garden and the endless backyard. Up until this summer we have seldom taken time to enjoy them, instead labouring only to cut the grass, do battle with the weeds, and rake up copious amounts of leaves in autumn.

The picture of the rose blooms doesn’t do justice to their wild beauty. Adjacent to the north side of our home are peaonies, whose flowers are so large and heavy they are bent to the ground. There is a rhubarb patch with monster stalks that are nearing their best before date in pies or jams. The grass seems greener than it’s ever been.

What have you discovered in your “own backyard” this spring and summer?

Personnel in Your Own Backyard

While serving as lead pastor at North Pointe I was able to hire most of our staff from our own backyard.

Student interns were employed on staff after graduation and sometimes before their graduation.

Some interns who found employment outside of North Pointe, later returned to fill staff roles. Seldom did we look beyond the congregation to fill roles in administration, ministry, or maintenance.

Working as the Interim pastor at Bethel Church in Barrhead, we were able to bring together a volunteer staff of diamonds – women and men, from our own backyard, who were gifted for great leadership and results.

Have you “left home” searching for diamonds or gold when they were right in your own backyard all along?

Russell Conwell’s classic, “Acres of Diamonds” is a wonderful short story of finding what you’re searching for closer to home than you imagine possible.

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