It’s been such a whirlwind of actions and responses over the past month or so that we’ve almost been unable to catch our breath, but in addition to the snow of winter, there have been unusually heavy rains in other parts of the country, due largely in part to the changing climate around us. And it’s hurting the people who can least afford it.
The once in a hundred year floods have become the once in every few year floods, Increased atmospheric and oceanic temperatures have resulted in stronger hurricanes, more rainfall and snowfall, drought, and wildfires. And warmer air in the Arctic has disrupted the polar vortex resulting in winter storms in unusual places.
And now the cyber idiots have set their sights on NOAA, which runs the National Weather Service. Imagine if we did not know when the next Sandy would hit the East Coast or Helene would barrel through Appalachia. Without pressure from Republicans in Congress, all of us will become more vulnerable to the changing climate.
Prayer for the Day
The piles of plowed snow are now shrinking,
A sign of the spring to come, O God;
Snowdrops begin to peek above the ground,
Still frozen hard, not yet ready for planting.
Open our eyes to the early signs of a new season,
Bringing hope of transformation into our lives.
In the name of the One who transforms us,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Over the winter glaciers, I see the summer glow. And through the wind-piled snowdrift, the warm rosebuds below.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist (1803-1882)
Autumn arrives in the early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day.
Elizabeth Cole Bowen, CBE, English novelist (1899-1973)
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make melody. Awake my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,
And I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,
And your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Psalm 108: 1-4