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The Parson in the Patch!
Average white Australian male seeks sustainable way of life without hugging trees, giving up deodorant or growing dreadlocks! Or, How I came to love gardening and appreciate it as my Sabbath space. I originally posted this piece at Byron’s Blog, “Nothing New Under the Sun” under the title, ‘Going Green Without the Dreadlocks’ but I thought I’d repost it here in shorter snippets because it explains a little about why The Parson’s Patch means so much and where the name for the blog comes from. Like this blog the patch has become for me a place of transformation, prayerful and imaginitive. In the Patch I feel God has worked to helpme become a more faithful shepherd; a Pastor. I hope you enjoy my story!
In my early twenties I imagined I would live out my life in the concrete jungle in a swanky apartment somewhere in the inner city. I would spend my time sipping lattes and networking. An apartment was the perfect choice for me. No garden meant no outside work and more time for networking and coffee. I cared little for the environment and had almost no concern for the earth beneath my feet. My theology was firmly entrenched in the heavens. I gladly ignored the “on earth” part of the Lord’s prayer.
I recently turned thirty-five. Last week my family and I installed solar power and we are two years into a five year project to produce half of our food needs through our veggie patch, chickens, fruit trees and vines. I am a minister, a pastor. Every spare moment I find is spent in the garden with my wife and two children. If I cannot get into “the patch” as I call it a few times a week I begin to get restless. Gardening forms my Sabbath day and my Sabbath rest. Fifteen or so years later I love being outside. I love the earth beneath my feet and between fingers. I never knew espresso could taste so good as it does sitting in my patch perusing the coming harvest.
So what happened? How does an average white Australian male fall in love with gardening and desire to live sustainably? Well, I cannot speak for everyone but for me it all began with my wife and Jamie Oliver and I’ll tell you more next Wednesday!
Image may be NSFW.
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