Pastor Layne spoke recently about the many ways “blessings” can be defined. We are blessed to be member-stewards of the abundance that includes Central Christian Church, Austin. We share an abundance of joyful spirit, knowing as we do and practicing as best we can right now the teachings of Jesus. We accept and share the abundance of “loaves and fishes” in our daily life.
We have an abundance of land, of valuable land, downtown, close enough in view to the State Capitol that the monetary value of our land is restricted by height limits preserving Capitol views for others in our community.
The full values of our land, however, are unrestricted in this moment now – our land serves as always as a sanctuary – visible as a place of peace, security and affirmation, open often as such. As an urban sanctuary, we also offer gifts to the street of flowers in bloom, food to feed and herbs to heal.
While we are now intentionally growing all kinds of weeds, the future will likely include building structure where these weeds grow now. Gardens evolve. It is essential as member-stewards – as our actions and decisions increase in meaningful impact within our community – that we maintain our focus to continue to share the abundance of loaves and fishes possible thru unified faith in the teachings and examples of Jesus. We have a responsibility for our mission to be demonstrated in all we do.
Right now, we have a lotta street-side gardens, and the pink primrose that bloomed by the Pastor’s Porch from March thru June last year will be back in abundance. This primrose – as a weed grew in our sloped lawn along 12th street and was getting mowed regularly, and not allowed to form seeds. It was transplanted to gardens in the front and back, it has since gone to seed and formed huge colonies that are being transplanted elsewhere. (Yes, if anyone wants to help transplant, please do! It’s kinda assembly line line work, pretty easy, reach out to me, thank you.
The great mullein – the giant lamb’s ear type plant – is another weed of abundance now growing all over the place – we are going to have a lot wildflower weeds embracing us in bloom this Spring! We’ve had some herbs and even some vegetables keep growing thru the freezes, and we’ll be able to start sharing our fresh harvest early this year.
I have a question for us all, please, let your voices be heard! How do we feel about weeds growing in the cracks? It’s a nice metaphor for abundance, but in the past, I’ve considered crack-weeds to be unsightly and to be immediately removed. Now I’m not so sure. I have continued to leave the great mullein growing in the asphalt cracks in the back garden. I think they’re really purty, although certainly in daily danger of getting trampled, stomped and broken, but I see no reason to remove them until after they bloom in the summer. Look at ’em, please, when you can – what do all y’all think?
We have pink primrose growing in the cracks between the pink granite steps of our front porch (but not the doorway steps). I think it would be amazing and unique to have native pink primrose flowering thru pink granite steps – but before they start blooming in March it’ll look like we’ve got weeds growing in our stone steps. Look at ’em when you can, please, they’re tiny right now – should they stay or should they go now – what do all y’all think?
Yo howdy, keep an eye on our dirt, and all y’all are always welcome to come get muddy at our Urban Sanctuary.
Be safe be well know joy.
Phil