Earth and Relationship
~Brian Lowry
”This we know – the Earth does not belong to man – man belongs to the Earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected.” ~Chief Seattle
And it is this relationship that requires of us, whether we know it or not, to live every day with an understanding that each day is no less earth day than the day before. I fear we too often set aside government-sanctioned days to feel good about something without any real practical application from us. Earth is not a holiday to be honored; Earth is a sacred gift of creation to be cherished every moment, every day without end. I hope never to break fellowship with earth, nor to do anything that strains our sacred relationship… In this I know I have failures to correct…
When our country and our politicians approve and laud Contained Animal Feeding Operations and hail human-manufactured chemical fertilizers and pesticides as the preferred way to “protect’ the soil and “feed the world”, then feel good about setting aside one day as the official “Earth Day”, we have become the ultimate charlatan. The given earth is grounded in life-filled and life-giving soil by nature. When we replenish naturally, she recreates. When we take and offer back lifeless manmade substitutes, namely oil-based chemicals, we cannot long expect her to recreate healthily.
If we’re going to honor Earth, we’re going to have to do so in the very local places that we know, on the land beneath our feet. If we do not begin again at home to know the Earth, to care for and replenish her provisions, then all our strivings beyond may be too abstract. The deepest pleasures of fellowship within relationship involve being in touch, literally maintaining contact.
Place then your hands in the soil, receive her provisions and return to the ground that which nature would give back, namely the life that comes from death and decay. Darkness has its good work to do. One of the gardener’s principle pleasures is in witnessing the light draw life again and again from out of the dark.
