Creation – Catholic Writers Guild

Gifts From My Backyard

I learn a lot from enjoying life in my backyard. My ears perk up listening to the sounds of a red-crested woodpecker helping itself to bugs in our maple tree, and I am thankful to be relieved of the crawly creatures it consumes. I once spotted a hawk atop the highest pine tree and did a double-take when I realized a snake dangled from its beak. I was grateful for its predatory nature.

An anhinga (also known as a snakebird) lives around our pond. It extends its snake-like neck before it dives underwater searching for fish, seemingly holding its breath for an eternity. When it finally emerges, it sits atop a log or brush pile, spreading its wings to dry. Once, a brown owl let me take its picture before it disappeared into the canopy.

The bright red cardinals chase their mates from tree to tree. Every spring, families of ducks glide across the mirror-like water. Gray herons sometimes land and wade before they take flight, and flocks of white egrets sometimes flock around the water’s edge, grazing the shoreline, looking for goodies.

Then there are the chickens, endlessly pecking and scratching at the ground, or perching, preening, and cleaning. They give us perfect eggs every day, and I marvel at their productivity. Each of these birds has given me joy in some way, just by their existence and by doing what is natural for them.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”—1 Corinthians 12:4–7

This past weekend, I was blessed to attend the Catholic Writers Guild (CWG) Online Conference. I came away with deep gratitude for this group, realizing these Catholic authors and presenters are gifts from my writing backyard. This community provides a rich, robust environment for cultivating the writing life and encouraging one another at every stage. I came away resolved to hone my own gift and let that light shine in whatever way God directs it. Through the years, the CWG has helped me gain greater confidence, challenged me to step out in faith, and grow as a writer. For all these backyard gifts, thank you, Lord.

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.”—Matthew 5: 15–1

Edited by Gabriella Batel

Brown owl photo taken by the author in her backyard.

While hiking the North Ridge Trail on Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park, my daughter and I paused on a rock mound, breathing in the chill wind and the vibrant red, yellow, and green hues of Autumn. As we sat, Sheila commented on the solid, secure sensation emanating upward from the mountain depths. Peace flooded through me, and now I am reminded of the solid ground on which my faith was built.

That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. Luke 6:48

“Mama, close your eyes and listen.” Sheila quietly instructed. When you are on the mountain, the wind moving through the trees sounds like the ocean waves rushing to shore. Except for the cold, with eyes closed, you could very well be at the beach where endless shells break under crushing surf. But the mountain rock is immovable, its pink and gray and green granite boulders stand firm after countless millennia of glacial pounding. Solid as it is, the mountain harbors millions of shattered rocks along the trail, broken pieces huddled together beneath the massive outcrop where we sat.

I thought about a poem I wrote (see “Broken Shells” August 10, 2025 blog post https://www.catholicwritersguild.org/2025/08/broken-shells/) and the similarity of those shells and shattered rocks – so many pieces, each unique and beautiful despite their brokenness. Each forms a part of the whole. Each can fulfill its purpose on the canvas when there is a foundation in the Lord. Whether at a beach or atop a mountain, whether we hear waves or wind, He is our solid ground.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

That day on the trail, I was overcome with the beauty of God’s creation and thankful for His love and care for us. The picture I took (above) is only a small glimpse of what I experienced, and my heart sings with the praise of Psalm 104:1-5:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers. You set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken.”

Feature Photo North Ridge Trail, Cadillac Mountain, Acadia Nati onal Park by Paula Veloso Babadi, used with permission.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved.

Gifts From My Backyard

Gifts From My Backyard

Shattered Rocks on Solid Ground

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