Yard Of The Week

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he sign in our neighbors’ front yard said it all.  As people drove by they would slow down to read the wording on the sign staked clearly in the center of front yard.  As they read the caption, they almost came to a grinding halt, causing somewhat of a traffic hazard right there on Main Street.  For those of us who lived in the neighborhood, the sign only confirmed what we knew to be true about the people living next door. It came as no surprise to us; no one was shocked by the display.  In fact, we were all quite pleased to see that everyone in our community had taken notice of something that was just par for the course to all who knew both our neighbors, Mom and Pop Jenkins and Mr. and Mrs. Buzzby.

I will never forget that morning.  It was late spring, warm enough to wear shorts but not yet warm enough to go barefoot, at least that what mom said.  Since it was Saturday, I got an early start, not wanting to waste any of my precious free time from school staying inside.  I wanted to be outside so I got dressed, threw open the front door, and out I went.  As soon as I stepped down from our front porch I saw it, and from the number of cars riding slowly by, I wasn’t the only one taking notice.  Right there in Mom and Pop’s front yard was a big sign with the words, “Yard Of The Week” prominently emblazoned across it.

For several weeks, one of the local clubs had been sponsoring a contest.  Several citizens in our community boasted spectacular yards complete with burgeoning flowerbeds and manicured lawns.  A quick drive through several neighborhoods left you with the feeling of being in an extended botanical garden.  In order to show its appreciation to these fine folk and to encourage other to follow suit, a contest was suggested and begun.  Each week a group of judges would ride around town and select a home with a gorgeous yard. The committee would then send one of its number to place the coveted “Yard Of The Week” sign in the yard before people started stirring.  It became quite the talk about town as who would win the award next.

A few weeks earlier, Mr. & Mrs. Buzzby, our neighbors across the street, had also been honored with this recognition.  Like Mom and Pop, the Buzzby’s yard was always beautiful and their rose garden was breathtaking.  No one was shocked when their yard was chosen either because their dedication and love for plants and flowers was evident in all they did. Mom and Pop were the same way.  They were always working in their yard even when they were into their 70’s.  I never knew a weekend when either Mom and Pop or Mr. & Mrs. Buzzby weren’t in their respective yards, pulling weeds, tending to flowers, or mowing grass.  It was simply a way of life.  The dedication to their yards was only a mere reflection of the kind of people they were.  Recognition or no recognition, sign or no sign, these people were totally devoted to keeping their homes and their yards in immaculate condition.

The writer of the book of Proverbs understood and appreciated the character of a person totally committed to an endeavor.  In Proverbs 22:29, we read these words, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.”  There is both a condition and a promise in this passage of scripture.  First, notice that the man described is a man who excels in his work.  The character of this individual is one of discipline.  He sees his work as a gift from the Lord and views his work as an expression of worship to God.  Therefore, he does his best to make sure his labor is done with integrity, with discipline, and with love.

The promise inherit in this passage speaks of the recognition he receives for a job well done.  The man does not work for recognition, and that is the key to his success.  He is content to do his work away from the limelight, with no attention drawn to him, without receiving any reward for doing his work.  This is indeed rare in today’s society but I was fortunate to grow up on Main Street where Mom and Pop and Mr. & Mrs. Buzzby taught me this lesson on a daily basis.

As Christians, we must be content do work for Christ in the place he has given us.  There can be only one Billy Graham, there can be only one Charles Spurgeon, and there can be only one Dwight L. Moody.  Following the train of thought then, there can only be one of you!  Are you performing your duty for God diligently?  Are you content to work for Him at your desk, in your home, ironing clothes, or raking leaves?  Do you realize there are so many people watching your life and they see your dedication and your faithfulness not only to your job but to God as well?  Our character and integrity in performing a task always reveal the type of people we are underneath.

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he sign that day posted in Mom and Pop’s yard gave proved that others recognized their hard work and dedication.  But what is most worthy of note is that their yard looked the same years before the contest and years after it.  Mr. & Mrs. Buzzby’s, dedication, like that of Mom and Pop, was genuine with no need of a sign to affirm it.  This leads us to ask one question of ourselves today.  How dedicated are we in doing the Lord’s work today?  Are we working in such a way that the King would take notice of us?  The truth is He notices, whether we are dedicated or not?  I think it’s time I got back to work.  How about you?