Do not fear, O soil; but be glad and rejoice, for God has done great things!
I hear these words from the prophet Joel and pray them often, especially this time of year as I walk my daily prayers over soil that is often muddy. Foot or paw prints are easy to see and my hope to walk the earth lightly, leaving no trace behind, seems far-fetched and impossible.
The prophet Joel hears God speaking these words of reassurance to the dirt and the creatures of the earth, telling them the wilderness will again be green as trees and plants are restored, and creation is once again renewed.
Some of my earliest childhood memories include prayers for the soil and the earth in which we dwell. Grandpa used to tell us of the wonder of soil conservation that came in the midst of the Great Depression that nearly swallowed his farm and threw so many off the land. My mother never lost her sense of joy walking through the fields and seeing the contour plowing that saved so much soil. Though I come from a long line of farmers and gardeners, I am neither, but always and forever I walk and pray for the soil, for its health and well-being, for the health and well-being it extends to all living things. In small and humble ways I seek to engage in practices that will reassure dirt and inspire it to rejoice.
Recently, I discovered that Cook County has a department called Soil and Water Conservation. They were a wealth of information and help, giving me information about the native plants and trees of Cook County. Visions of wild plum, elderberry, juneberry, high bush cranberry, hazelnut and stag horn sumac, and so many more nestling in among the birch, pines, cedar, aspen and balsam trees made me smile in anticipation and rejoice at all the advice on how to obtain and plant native species on our land. It will give me such joy to feast with my wild neighbors on berries and nuts that we have planted.
Jesus said that every hair on our head is numbered, that not one sparrow falls without God knowing. God cherishes each of us and all creation. God loves the soil and comforts it when it is afraid. God deals wondrously with all creation, transforming fear into joy. We are invited and called to share in this amazing work.
Start with the dirt and invite the water. Walk on to the trees, the birds, and all that lives. Though centuries apart, Joel’s words echo in the words of Jesus, Do not be afraid, neither let your hearts be troubled…because I will not leave you orphaned…I give you peace…I have come so that my joy might be in you, and your joy might be complete…abide in my joy.
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This week our contributor is Reverend Beth Benson of the First Congregational Church – UCC in Grand Marais.
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