On the cold Sunday morning after what we hope will have been the last blast of winter, I saw a small group of robins hopping about looking for worms. This wasn’t the first time I had seen robins this year. A few weeks ago, they were scurrying about in the parking lot, trying to find food while keeping warm under the brush. We associate robins with spring but they had arrived early.
The snowdrops were blooming two weeks ago as well, and the winter aconite have emerged from their sleep to cover the front yard. In sunny places tiny crocus can be seen and in front of the church the daffodils have just begun to open. Although it wasn’t that bad a winter, we always look forward to spring.
But naturalists note there are 15 billion fewer breeding birds than 40 years ago. We have suffered a loss of native habitat in our rush to create so-called luxury homes with treeless front lawns. Let us celebrate the vernal equinox is this Sunday with a renewed dedication to protecting what we have left and renewing the promise of God’s earth.
Prayer for the Day
With your hand you brought us out of the dust,
Giving us life with your breath, Eternal Creator;
With your heart you formed us into your likeness,
Making us sentient beings with your soul. Loving Spirit.
May we respond to the power of your love in the world
By caring for all creatures who inhabit the earth.
In the name of him who embodies your love,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
In terms of biological activity, a lawn is the least productive of our plantings, yet it is the default landscaping practice in most spaces.”
- Douglas Tallamy, Professor, University of Delaware
Native plans give us a sense of where we are in this great land of ours. I want Texas to look like Texas and Vermont like Vermont.
- Lady Bird Johnson, naturalist (1912-2007)
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom;
They give forth fragrance.
Song of Songs 2: 12-13