My Bermuda grass backyard is bumpy. As in uneven. As in all over.

Partly from planting on top of granite. Partly from sod deciding it wants to do its own thing and define its own destiny.

I’ll be topdressing the lawn in the next few weeks. Spreading a sandy soil over the yard via wheelbarrow and shovel and rake.

Even out the dips and drops to create a more smooth yard experience.

There’s no way to even out our entire property. Doing so would redefine the landscape into an unnatural acreage appearing more manufactured than divinely created.

But a backyard? Where bare feet are norm and children run? That begs for smooth and soft.

John the Baptist once referred to Jesus as the one who gets rid of bumps. The one who smooths out the rough roads. Who makes life more enjoyable. Who removes the un- and leaves only the even.

Some acreage won’t be bump-less this side of heaven. 

COVID and cancer appear to be camping out for a while. Divorce won’t lose its appeal for some. Child abuse will, sadly, continue on.

Jesus works miracles in backyards, though. 

He denies disease its final say. He offers reconciliation where it appears impossible. He heals the brokenness that wants to break children.

He has not (yet) removed sin from the world. He has removed its eternal consequence. 

He has made it where your soul will last forever. But not so suffering.

He’s a beautiful topsoil over every dip and drop in your life. 

Trust Him to make your backyard less bumpy. He’s really good at smoothing and softening. Divinely so.