Greenford is part of West London—in the borough of Ealy. You won’t be surprised when I tell you it rains there quite a bit or that they’ve had some issues with flooding. But that began to change in 2023. Not the raining part, but the flooding substantially diminished.
As Lauren Frayer noted, this was all due to family of five who were new to the area. They arrived in October of ’23, bringing with them the requisite skill set to implement the productive changes. They had no degrees in civil engineering, water management, or urban planning. Actually, they didn’t have any degrees because they were . . . beavers!
They were released into a lagoon that is part of a green space known as Paradise Fields. In the short time they’ve been there, they’ve brought about some significant changes. They’ve built dams and done other things to channel the water in more efficient ways. Paradise Fields has been transformed into a wetland capable of absorbing a greater amount of water which then trickles out to the surrounding areas rather than flooding out. As a result, Greenford has tabled its plans to build an expensive reservoir and levee.
The beavers also sent ripples through the ecosystem as plants and animals previously not sustainable found a welcoming environment. In short, the beavers have effectively, efficiently, and naturally made Greenford a better place. Not bad for an animal that four hundred years ago was hunted to extinction in the area.
All this happened because the beavers were allowed to do the kinds of things they were created by God to do and it brought blessings to the community.
And what’s true for beavers is true for humans. We function best and bless the world around us when we do what we were created to do. What we were created to do is image God. We do this by using the gifts He has given us to bless others. (Isn’t that what our Father does?).
“Am I living the life God put me on this earth to live?” That’s not a bad question to periodically ask ourselves—especially if the water is rising.
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 