Next to Christmas, Spring is my favorite time of the year! Melting snow, blooming flowers (especially tulips!), greening hills, ladybugs... our wedding anniversary... Christ's Resurrection... “these are a few of my favorite things” about Spring - truly a season of celebrating life!
Sadly, God's green Earth has been in much serious trouble than generations past. We often hear about global warming, and we either a) deny that it's actually happening or b) recognize that it is indeed a problem, but put it at the bottom of our list because there are other more pressing, day-to-day issues. For one of my English classes in college, we read an article that warned us: If we don't reverse the damages that we've done to the planet and bring it back to health in the next twenty years, we will all be witnesses to the Earth's destruction - in catasrophic proportions - and there will no longer be a planet even for the next generation to live in and enjoy.
That was eight years ago...
We only have a little more than a decade now, to keep working hard to save the Earth that God created and placed under our stewardship. Wouldn't it be nice to hand it over to our children, even a little better than when we found it?
“We cannot do everything, but we can all do something” – and as always in my case, “something” begins at home...
“Edward and Alison,” I would call from their room with a warning tone in my voice. They'd come quickly. “I will count from 1 to 10. After 10, whatever I see on the floor, I'll throw away.” And they would clean up as quickly as they had come.
This happens at least once a week when it seems like the floor in their room has clearly been taken over by the Autobots, the Decepticons, all Disney princesses, and some of their other toys. Of course I'd never throw anything away; I'd happily donate whatever's left on the floor to the local Salvation Army. But the kids have been very good at this exercise, that way before I get to 10, the room gets clean.Through this exercise, I am teaching them not only to value their possessions, but to also be responsible in cleaning up after their own mess. I am hoping that their responsibility in taking care of their own bedroom would create a strong foundation, as they grow up and take care of bigger spaces like their own homes, the environment, and the planet.
Dear Lord: Thank You for the beautiful planet that You have entrusted us. May we never grow tired of taking care of your wonderful creation, so that our children, and our children's children may be able to enjoy Your green Earth!
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