This Beautiful Place We Call Home
I’ll be honest — Earth Day hasn’t always been circled on my calendar.
But this year — especially after witnessing our astronauts take the trip to the moon and returned to their home sweet home on earth, I find myself pausing.
Looking around. Breathing a little deeper.
And thinking — what a marvelous place God has given us.
Over a billion people across the globe pause today — April 22nd — to celebrate this planet. That’s a lot of folks picking up trash, planting flowers, and hugging trees. (I might stop short of hugging a tree — but I’ll admire a good one!)
But caring for the earth didn’t start with Earth Day — it started with God.
In Genesis, we see Him as the ultimate Artist — painting skies, shaping mountains, rolling out oceans like a vast blue carpet.
Then He planted a garden. Not just functional — but beautiful. Lush. Life-giving.
And then — He handed it over to us. “Take care of it.”
What trust and what a gift!
Even now, long after Eden, God still tends His creation — watering the earth — and, here in Austin, lots of watering — filling fields with abundance (Psalm 65:9). And He invites us to join Him. Not out of duty — but gratitude.
Because when we look around — at a sunrise and a sunset – we see God at His finest! This isn’t one of His random creations – it’s intentional! It’s personal.
So, whether we live in a home in a neighborhood or a senior apartment complex, a mansion, or a motor home — there’s something in our care. A patch of grass. A neighbor. A moment to choose kindness over carelessness.
Maybe Earth Day isn’t just about the planet. It is a reminder that we’ve been placed here –on purpose, in this time, in this place — to tend what God has made and treasure what He’s given.
And that — is a gift and a beautiful way to live. Let’s care for it with grateful hearts!