To Care For: Part 2

It’s been a few weeks since I wrote about my intention to be more connected to creation. I did indeed buy some more plants, plus I started composting. And, when I did pause my existence to tend to them, I felt a sense of peace and oneness with the world that I do not always feel. Furthermore, I felt joy - joy at watching something grow, joy at having something beautiful to look at, and joy at being able to care for something that was making a difference. 

I will say that I was not the most diligent when it came to these practices. There were days I should have turned my compost that I didn’t. There were days I should have repotted plans that I did not. There were times when I should have watered my plants that I said “eh, I’ll do it tomorrow”. But friends, when I did do those things, I really did feel connected to something greater than myself. It made me stop and appreciate the intricacies of the universe. It made me see the beauty of the Divine and feel a sacred connection to creation. It made me pause and see how something could be called “very good” (Gen 1:31). 

I don’t think it’s an accident that the first thing God asks of humanity is to care for the Earth (Gen. 1:27-28). I think this directive was intentional because it does remind us that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves and that our actions have an impact. I think that caring for creation allows us to see beauty in it and, subsequently, see the beauty in ourselves as a part of that creation. By being able to see the plants and the dirt from which they grow - the same dust from which we were formed - as “very good”, we are then able to see ourselves and others in the same light. So, go buy a plant (succulents and cacti can be a good place to start) or start composting your food scraps or just go sit outside and commune with nature - there is no Planet B, and we’ve been entrusted to care for this one.