One of my most very favorite parts of living in Minnesota is the emphasis its residents place on being outside, all year 'round. Overnight we listened to sleet bang against with windows and woke to softly falling wet, wet snow. It created quite a slush but on the way to the dog park there were cyclists, joggers, and even a cross country skiier on her way to school. Marvelous! The dog park itself consists of acres of open forest, now blanketed in quiet snow, bordered by a running path and the Mississippi River. What has even more refreshing is a general sense of care and respect for the environment.
Something about the church I grew up in that I will never understand is its seeming resistance against "being green" and "green" associations with what, the devil? I'm not exactly sure. I was home in Northeast Arkansas a few weeks ago and overheard a family member proudly say, "yep, I fill up landfills with my disposable diapers" and another reply, "well, why not?"
God created this beautiful earth for our use; for planting, harvesting, gaping at its beauty. Why NOT be good stewards of what He has given us?
Prayers, from Episcopal Liturgy:
We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the
richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of
flowers. We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for our
posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your
abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. Amen.
O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature:
Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the
account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
O God, who made everything good, teach us to love what you have made. Help us to see
you in the stars and planets, the trees and flowers, the rocks and the rivers, and
especially in these pets of ours you have entrusted to our care. How great is your name,
O Lord our God, through all the earth. Amen
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