I had readied myself for a walk outdoors when I got the reminder that this is deadline day for the church newsletter, so I figured I’d think of something as I walked. The sun was out. How could I not get out and enjoy it?

It is hard not to think about the snow we might have been getting this winter. The sidewalks are clear, and we still need warm winter wear. And our bodies need exercise.

It concerns me that the seasons are changing, that there’s less snow than previous winters. Mind you, I do look forward to spring. It concerns me too how we’ve treated creation in the past, as though it were expendable and ever renewing. We didn’t know then what we know now.

As I read Bob Burtt’s book, Water: Our Sacred Trust,  I am reminded that waterways have also been in danger. Some of this I knew, but I’m getting the down and dirty facts. Not the best bedtime reading.

Our Region’s recycle program is a good thing. Our blue box goes out every week and our garbage is minimal. In summer we use our rain barrels to collect rain water that we use on our garden. And our compost bin contents go into our garden as the compost is ready.

Schools have been advocating too and all my grandchildren have reusable lunch containers and water bottles. They are our leaders of tomorrow. My grandkids in kindergarten can tell you what goes in recycling and what is really garbage. Many locations offer a place to refill people’s water bottles.

I recently purchased the book, Dear Polar Bears, by Gabrielle Prendergast, illustrated by Marcus Cutler. It’s a delightful invitation from the penguins in the Antarctic to the polar bears in the Arctic to come to a party. Everyone likes a party. The illustrations are sweet and inviting. The author explores how the polar bears might get there and what will they do once they reach the Antarctic.

The book is a creative and fun idea with a learning opportunity. There’s an invitation for children to begin to understand how people’s actions can affect the climate. Still it’s an imaginative exercise and presented in a delightful way.

The book idea appealed to me. A friend of mine is presently conducting a guided tour (on ship) of the Antarctic, post MA graduation in geological studies. I asked her to take pictures of penguins while she’s there. I find the creatures fascinating.

We are the caretakers of creation. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” (Genesis). We need to take care of what’s around us.

How do you show your love for creation? What opportunities can you take to further your understanding and action?