The home that my family now lives in has a more spacious front yard than backyard. At first, this seemed less than desirable, but the longer we’ve lived here, the more thankful I’ve become for this. It’s a feature, not a bug. In fact, it’s made me think that front yards are superior to backyards.
Spending time in our front yard has gone a long way in introducing us to our neighbors and giving us opportunities to interact with them. It makes sense. In the front yard, we’re present. In the backyard, we’re private (e.g. privacy fences.) Where the front yard promotes interaction with those passing by, the backyard limits the same.
This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t have backyards. We simply need to recognize that front yards and backyards are different tools with different purposes. If we stop to think about it, most of us will find that one of our tools is underutilized while the other is overused.
What if we started using our front yards more? Or, at the very least, our front porches? What if these were spaces we really enjoyed?
Instead of allowing them to become gimmicks, let's make them real and full. While we're at it, let's make them restful and fun—hammocks, wiffle ball, outdoor movie nights, and conversations around a fire. They should be spaces adults and children want to spend their time.
Imagine what investing time in these spaces and opening them to each other would do for a neighborhood. At the very least, friendships would be fostered. If trust followed, camaraderie would as well. God knows what else would come.
I’m dreaming, but why shouldn’t I? Our neighborhoods are full of opportunities! We’re only limited by our creativity.
This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t have backyards. We simply need to recognize that front yards and backyards are different tools with different purposes. If we stop to think about it, most of us will find that one of our tools is underutilized while the other is overused.
What if we started using our front yards more? Or, at the very least, our front porches? What if these were spaces we really enjoyed?
Instead of allowing them to become gimmicks, let's make them real and full. While we're at it, let's make them restful and fun—hammocks, wiffle ball, outdoor movie nights, and conversations around a fire. They should be spaces adults and children want to spend their time.
Imagine what investing time in these spaces and opening them to each other would do for a neighborhood. At the very least, friendships would be fostered. If trust followed, camaraderie would as well. God knows what else would come.
I’m dreaming, but why shouldn’t I? Our neighborhoods are full of opportunities! We’re only limited by our creativity.
Gratitude
Thanks to our next-door neighbor, Judy Benson, for joyfully opening her front yard and backyard to us. Martha enjoys access to her driveway for scootering and biking while older kids who visit our house enjoy going over to shoot hoops. But even better, Judy’s backyard is an oasis. Whether visiting her garden, delighting in her flowers, playing in her sandbox, or just meandering through, we always leave it refreshed. What a gift! Judy knows well that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
Thanks to Craig Anderson for waving as he drives by, or better yet, rolling down his window to check in. And thanks to Craig for always being so willing to tromp through his backyard and a couple of others to bring us papers we asked him to print, take a look at a home maintenance question, or, best of all, simply greet us to chat.
Thanks to Craig Anderson for waving as he drives by, or better yet, rolling down his window to check in. And thanks to Craig for always being so willing to tromp through his backyard and a couple of others to bring us papers we asked him to print, take a look at a home maintenance question, or, best of all, simply greet us to chat.