Transformation

My backyard was owned by a dog for fourteen years. Sadie outsmarted the people who told us she'd grow up to be only around 30 lbs. max. At her last weigh-in she tipped the scales at just under 60 lbs. She loved to patrol the yard and peer through the gate at passersby. We swore her tail weighed 10 lbs., and that's one of the reasons she made the transition from indoor pup to outdoor yard-patroller. Before that decision, Sadie's overactive enthusiasm and energy threatened to peel the paint off our hallway walls. She'd roar through the house like Marmaduke, gangly and awkward with that thick chestnut tail beating the walls as it wagged.

Once her kennel moved out to the corner of the patio, we discovered that she actually preferred the great outdoors. She loved the fresh air, the sound of cars and school buses and all assortment of human beings checking their locked mailboxes near the end of our driveway. She even liked birds, and they'd peck at scattered seeds within inches of her nose as she lay there mesmerized by their activity.

I quickly learned, though, that you don't plant a flowerbed with a dog that rambunctious. My one big attempt at gardening involved several pots of bright red geraniums, which Sadie flattened with a nap and later, happily munched the petals like doggy bisquits. All within 24 hours.

Last March she died at age 14 and I found myself with a fine dilemma. Our lawn had a faded trail around its edge and across the middle where her daily patrols had left their mark. Should we reseed? Tear the whole thing out? I read books and beautiful gardening magazines, and finally just grabbed the nearest shovel and started digging. The transformation has taken months, but we now have a peaceful, flower-filled sanctuary where goldfinches and hummingbirds feed, and butterflies flit from dahlia to delphinium to butterfly bush and back again. Paths meander from flowerbed to bird feeder, and it's my favorite place to grab some quiet time with the Lord first thing every morning.

Transformation takes time. Like caterpillar to butterfly, beat-up yard to peaceful garden. Doubter to true Believer.

"...rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." - Colossians 2:7 (NIV)



Visit Photo Buffet...arrive hungry, leave inspired!