Backyard Foundation

I'm feeling nostalgic today as I look at my backyard on this unusually warm, sunny January day. The dog needs to go out to use her "facilities" as usual and as she does so I look across my backyard that holds so many memories. The warm sun feels good with a slight chill in the air as I look at the leaves gathered on the ground and the dead grass of a not so cold Oklahoma winter. I look at the sycamore tree that grows directly out our door. It's tall and old. Its seen many colder winters, one with an ice storm that ruined some of its branches, but yet it still remains there tall and strong. The sycamore tree in itself is famously known as the one that Zacchaeus used to reach new heights, to get a better view to see the Lord Jesus. Our humble tree doesn't have that honor, but has been a staple in observing my children grow in their own faith through the years as the Bible was read under the cover of that tree. My daughters, nieces and nephews have spent countless days under the shade of that old sycamore tree. Science projects, sand and water play, digging in the dirt, playing in their little house, butterfly catching, insect inspecting, picnics, pretend play where their imaginations made them whatever they dreamed of being, were all had under that tree and the whole backyard, for that matter. With each changing season fun was spent in that fenced in haven. Snow ball fights, snowmen and snow fort building, bundled up in colder winters. Jumping in leaf piles in the fall. Sprinkler, kiddie pools, water from the hose and all sorts of water play in the summer. Gardening, watching the leaves, flowers, and even the weeds grow in the perfect warm weather of the spring, swinging on the swing set in every season. The trampoline was a centerpiece for our backyard for years when a much younger, more versatile version of my self tried to hang with the kids and jump around. That was a staple through every season as the sprinkler sprayed under it in the summer, leaves were piled and jumped on the fall and snow sledding in the winter and flips and tricks in the spring. Volleyball practice where an old mom just tried to keep up. Dance sessions and song performances all done by little voices. My youngest driving the Barbie jeep into the swing set, falls, cuts, bruises round out the memories, good and bad. Getting locked out of the house so she could have just one more slice of cake. The occasional reprieve so mom could have her quiet reading time under the old sycamore tree. Grilling done by dad as smoke and the delicious smells filled the air with some home grilled burgers, dogs and the occasional steak. Wiener roasts in the fire pit as we gathered round in laughter. Whatever the occasion, whatever the season, whatever the year, it was all done in the small backyard of our corner lot of our suburban neighborhood.

A lot has changed over the years. The tree is still there, the fence still surrounds the yard, but it is now empty. Once thriving with little voices and big energy, it is now quiet. Although now silent, the memories still speak loud and clear. I miss those days and get saddened by the thought of what is said to be the "good ole days,' and they certainly were. I would be neglectful if I didn't remember the joy of those days and appreciate them for what they were and what it brings now and for the future. Empty nests and empty backyards are hard for the mama bird still in the nest while the baby birds have grown and some have flown from the nest to build their own. This is the way of life. Was it the Lion King that coined the phrase 'circle of life"? I think the idea has been around since the beginning of time and is God's way.

"For this reason a man will leave his father..." This verse goes onto explain the reason a man shall leave and marry a wife, but I think the concept is clear that they leave and go and start their own life and build their own backyard. They have to make their own home, with their own fenced in backyard with their own memories. Maybe they will have a sycamore tree or maybe they won't. Either way, the prayer is that they build their own foundation on the Lord Jesus Christ, where the Bible is read and memories are made in their own lives. Our personal family memories are locked safely behind my wooden, picket fence and in my mind, but giving God glory and sharing God's Word should not be. It should be that each generation tell its children of God's mighty acts and proclaim His power (Psalm 145:4) wherever their foundation is built.