"The Responsibility of (High) Visibility"

Our new house is on the corner of the first street entering our (Senior) Village.  As Spring is coming, our new neighbors have been telling us (as if we didn't know, Lol) what great care the PREVIOUS owners took of the LAWN.

You see, the exceptionally well-manicured lawn apparently put forth a good first impression of the entire section of our Village, and the new neighbors want to make sure we keep up the "tradition" started by the previous owners.  As the "new kids on the block" my wife and I are anxious to comply (especially as we are inter-racial and there may be some who are ALREADY biased against us for that "unreasonable reason." I am well aware that more is already expected of us, and as the neighbors learn we are CHRISTIANS eventually the "bar" will go even higher!!)

As I've been walking around the 'hood for exercise, however, I've noticed that many of those who want us to maintain OUR lawn impeccably don't always seem to be interested in doing the same for THEIRS (Lol).  What a shock, (Lol!!)

You see, it's imperative to them that WE have our lawn together because of our strategic, corner lot on the first right-hand turn off of the main road as you enter our Village. However, apparently they're not as concerned about THEIR lawns (judging from the mess some of them are as Spring is coming.)  As long as WE are out there giving that good first impression for everyone, that seems to be enough for many, you see.

I guess it's part of sinful human nature to hold others to a higher standard than we hold ourselves.

c'est la vie!!

Happily for them, I do embrace the concept of what I call "The Responsibility of High Visibility."  The Sprinkler guy came to turn our sprinklers on the other day, and found that we need a new pump for our well.  The options are either pay big bucks for a new pump, or water the lawn OURSELVES (not as effective as the sprinklers, and very time consuming.)  So tomorrow, I'll be shelling out what I consider to be lots of cash to REPLACE the sprinkler pump because I do "get it"....our corner lot represents the whole neighborhood, like it or not. And who knows, maybe instead of making our neighbors stay complacent about THEIR lawns, it might inspire some to follow our example and beautify the ENTIRE section?? Whether that happens or not, it's THE RIGHT THING TO DO, especially because I often complain about politicians, athletes, actors, musicians and even some religious figures who have high visibility but don't want the responsibility and scrutiny that comes with "the corner lot."  I want my "lawn" to be the best I can afford it to be even if GOD is the only one Who sees it!!








The photo above is from yesterday at our church, my first formal duties as a DEACON took place in the morning service.  Here I am with the head Deacon AFTER that service.  (Note: we have 7 more Deacons who are not pictured.)