Happy Earth Day

Today, Wednesday, April 22, 2009 is Earth Day. We focus on caring for our planet -- this amazing and vibrant Earth created by our Maker, especially today. Globally, I care deeply that we honor that creation and be good stewards of it. Still more specifically, the part of the day that is close to my heart is the desire to protect it's purity and beauty for my family and my animals. This is where it becomes a personal cause.

I am touched by the title to a book written in the early 1960s by marine biologist Rachel Carson. She entitled the book "Silent Spring," awakening the idea that if we continue on this destructive path against our planet, we would risk a future without the songs of birds, due to certain devastating pesticides and chemical agents that were being used, then.

A favorite song is brought to mind: "Big Yellow Taxi." A portion of the lyrics say "Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone: They paved paradise and put up a parking lot..." and "Hey, farmer, farmer, put away your DDT. I don't care about spots on my apples, leave me the birds and the bees -- please!"

Reflecting on Carson's thoughts and upon the sentiments in that song, today my prayers are especially for this big beautiful planet Earth and the profoundly rich life we have in the presence of all creation... most specifically for the Dove Lady: Birds.