Backyard - Work In Progress

We enjoy our backyard ... it isn't an elaborate showplace that would make the yard of the month in a gardening magazine. However it represents a lot of things to Larry and me. When we moved to Lakeshore in February 2005 the backyard was a disaster. Let's say we didn't buy the house because of the backyard. There was a broken patio and almost the entire area was barren (no grass). Fortunately the front yard had nice grass and the shrubs there gave good curb appeal.



The encouraging fact was we had plans for that backyard. First we had the patio replaced - that made a great difference. Then Larry began the process of fertilizing and giving lots of tender loving care to the grass. However, in the two back corners we weren't sure there would ever be grass there without major effort. The nice alternative woud be to develop two garden areas. Now, five years later, the photo above is one of those back corners. It's still a work in progress. Every season we add a few more shrubs and/or perennials.



Our backyard reminds me of life ... we had a plan for the yard ... and our Heavenly Father reminds us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan for each of us. Now, I have to tell you that some of the things we planted throughout this five-year period haven't survived. Others struggled and had to be transplanted. And that is the way of life many times. Some of our endeavors don't materialize and we have to change plans. Other times God has helped us to change from conforming to our plans to realizing that His leadership gives us better direction. He reminds us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do; everywhere you go; He's the one Who will keep you on track."



We still have to pull the weeds from our garden areas and make sure there is an ample water supply for them. That's the "work in progress." Just like I do better in life when I continue to seek God's guidance and not always rely on Connie's plans alone. Yes, I, too, am God's work in progress!