We suddenly notice that the early mornings are darker, a sign that the days are getting shorter, and although we still see lightening bugs here and there on these humid nights, the shorter days remind us that fall will be here in six weeks. We’ve now crossed the halfway point of summer.
Farmers’ markets are in full swing offering all sorts of home grown fruits and veggies, and Jersey blueberries are still available for another week or two. Peaches, pears, and plums are in abundance, and in another few weeks the first of fresh apples will appear. It is indeed a time to be grateful for all we have – and all we need to preserve.
Although we have faced heavy rains and thunderstorms, we have not experienced the really terrible storms as have other parts of the country, or the world. These storms should remind us that care for the earth is critical and that we need to make sure that corporate greed must be checked for if we really respect the creation God has given us, we need to act to protect it.
Prayer for the Day
We of the earth sing of the beauty of your creation, O God,
Joining with all of creation singing your glory and your holy name,
But even as your glory resounds in our ears, we become despairing.
Trying to free ourselves of the trivial things that take over our lives.
Reveal your light even through the storms that sometimes overtake us,
Enabling us to embrace even what we fear in this world.
In the name of the One who is your instrument,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.
St John of Damascus, theologian and hymn writer (674/75-749)
Nature study cultivates the child’s imagination since there are so many wonderful and true stories he may read with his own eyes.
Anna Botsdford Comstock, pioneer in environmental education (1854-1930)
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.
God covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth,
Makes grass grow on the hills.
God gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.
God’s delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor pleasure in the runner,
But pleasure in those who fear God and hope in god’s steadfast love.
Psalm 147: 7-11