The Natural World
Illustration by Khara Scott-Bey from Big Topics at Midnight
How would we live if we remembered that although we might live in houses or apartments, in subdivisions, small towns, downtown or the country, we have only one home under our feet —planet Earth— a home we share with our global neighbors now and which will be our legacy to future generations?
Photo by Noa Mohlabane
For much of my life, I saw the natural world as primarily a backdrop. It was just there. More than the green grass, the trees and flowers, I noticed the hot asphalt street under my bare feet in summer, the regulated temperature of my home and the cars that took me where I wanted to go.
Religion, particularly my Christian tradition, didn’t help. In most of the churches I’ve attended, care of Earth and delight in her nature were rarely mentioned.
Nevertheless, we are creatures of this planet. To live disconnected from nature is not only costly to our spirits—the vastness and pace of creation’s unfolding gives a critical counterbalance to the speed and inward focus of our individual lives—it also separates us from awareness or concern for the present and future vitality of our home, Earth.
We are all roommates on this planet. Care for our home planet, just like care for our individual homes, must take into account the needs of all who live here.
Photo by Judy Bork
It matters how we view and treat the places where we live, including “this fragile earth, our island home.”*
I continue to dive deeper into the earth on my Big Topics Blog:
A Circle of Wisdom: The Moon Speaks
A Circle of Wisdom: Water Speaks
Fracking
* Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, Eucharistic Prayer C
Painting by Khara Scott-Bey
