Earth Day

Psalm 148

I know it's just a coincidence so I'm not going to make too much about it, but the fact that today is Earth Day and today's psalm is about the Earth praising God has a little too much synchronicity to be completely ignored. After a week where we were succumbed to a media-induced barrage of the events in Boston, while overlooking the rest of the world's important news, it was good to have a day I could unplug from the world and focus on me.

Yesterday, after coming home from church and what seemed a very busy day, I sat at our dining table in complete silence and caught up on a few things I really needed to get to. As I did things like pay bills, change rental car reservations, and organize my thoughts around our church's Youth fundraiser I refused to play any music or turn on the TV. The only sounds I heard were the chirping of  birds, the rustle of leaves, the falling of gentle rain, laughter of children playing, and the snoring of our pet dog. In that silence I was able to concentrate and finally, even though I was doing "busy" work, calm my spirit.

Until yesterday afternoon I felt as though the responsibilities I have were beginning to fall apart because I have too much to do and I wasn't in control. In the silence of yesterday I remembered I am not in control, and God will get me through it all. Reconnecting with God through the quietness given to me through the sounds of God's Earth helped to repair and strengthen my relationship with God. It's because of the chirps, rustles, laughter, and, yes, snoring that I was able to get out from the corner I was putting myself in. I came out of that corner and into the light and now am able to run free to do God's work.

God's gift of the Earth is sometimes ignored. Today's Psalm reminds us it's still there in all it's glory. Not only does the Psalm remind us that God's gift is there for us to enjoy, it reminds us that Earth never stops reminding us of God's presence. In celebration of Earth Day I hope you find the time to sit in God's silence and enjoy the chirping, rustling, and laughter to reconnect to God's love.