Yo howdy all y’all – each day is a beautiful day to walk about our Garden of AUS (Abundance Urban Sanctuary).
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – their good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
In affirming this Scripture, one runs the risk of being considered by others to be crazy. I know my gardening of weeds – encouraging a wilding of downtown helping soften the edges of our Church to embrace others – can easily be considered a bit (perhaps more than a bit) crazy. It has certainly been a disruption of my former patterns and priorities of work and employment. Yes, simply said, some things are crazy.
The Oxford Dictionary definition includes “1. mentally deranged, especially as manifested in a wild or aggressive way. 2. extremely enthusiastic”. Informally, we all have a bit of craziness in our behaviors; some intelligent folks even consider doctrines and rituals of some Christianity to be crazy. Often the word is pejorative and politically incorrect, but embracing this element as aspects of personal identity enables some empathy and compassion for others who are experiencing mental illness.
Our garden tomatoes, peppers, beans and squashes are now three weeks late. The bean sprouts and squash plants were trampled, the pepper and tomato transplants were ripped out of the ground by a recent visitor, who upon being released from jail still suffering from extreme mental illness, walked across the street into out gardens and expressed herself for several uninterrupted hours. When by chance I interrupted her, she explained she was “dispersing” plants from the “jail of pots” and “freeing” other plants from the “bondage of earth”. She aggressively uprooted cannas, papyrus grass and other perennial flowers.
I had met the woman years before and interrupted her destroying food that has been in our petite pantry. That first meeting was somewhat frightening, but demonstrating fear can escalate tension, and I was able to detach from my sense of fear and successfully encourage her to leave.
It took me several stunned minutes before I realized someone was still in our sanctuary grounds and actively engaged in destruction. I immediately spoke with a very competent 911 operator who promptly dispatched several very competent police officers who were able to arrest the individual without difficulties. They the took her back across the street for booking into the same jail she has been released from five hours earlier.
Be not afraid, but be aware – including awareness of situations that can develop into fearful situations, with understanding that folks not “conform[ing] with the patterns of this world” can generate compassion. Be aware that it is a problem that the largest provider of mental health services in Travis County is the Sheriff’s jail, and that the largest provider of mental health services in Texas and the United States is the prison system.
On Saturday, April 20th, the Garden of AUS will be hosting our now annual open house and potted plant sale to welcome our community to be embraced within the softened edges of our Church and to generate funds to help pay for our water bill. We have an abundance of church grown wildflowers and herbs to offer in exchange for donations. If you would like to help host and howdy, please let me know. We also need ongoing help harvesting. Angel’s House Soup Kitchen greatly appreciates our regularly providing fresh produce for the meals they serve.
Be well, be safe know joy.
Phil