But, I’m always thinking, “Oh my gosh, what are you looking at?! Can’t you see all the weeds? Don’t you see how those plants are competing with one another?” “It would be prettier if this moved there, or that was here,” or “I really should get out and weed some more.”

Why do I see my garden in such a completely different way than my neighbors do?  Why do I see the flaws and they see the beauty?  I hope it is because I am the caretaker and have a preconceived vision of/for my garden that my neighbors don’t have as passersby and not that I have a critical view overall.

Today, I challenge myself to open my eyes to see the beauty instead of the flaws.

- Kris Solberg

Great Artist, help me to see the beauty which you have planted this day in all the many ways you have fashioned Creation. Amen

- Read Jeremiah 9: 10, 12-14

Water at dawn and dusk, the times of day when plants best absorb water, for maximum efficiency.

— Rylie Spencer, age 6

The sights, sounds and scents of Spring intoxicate my soul.  Each flower is a love letter from God.  No matter the depth of winter’s valley, God again tells me I am his beloved child — even so.  Alleluia!

— Becky Ann Stewart

Help me this day, O God, to remember that you hear my prayers regardless of my age, my status, my job, my education, the color of my skin or the size of my income. May I remember today that you love me for who I am. Amen

- Read Isaiah 55: 12-13

Teach your children about environmental stewardship. Model the type of behavior you want your children to emulate.

Now I am going to remember more

- Evelyn Ahlberg

Gracious Spirit, please do not allow me to make myself poorer this day by forgetting that you breathed me into being and have blessed me with this life.  Amen

- Read Ecclesiastes 1: 4-7

Compost your organics.  Transform your organic waste into humus—a substance rich in nutrients that gardeners refer to as “black gold.” Humus adds moisture and condition to soil and encourages healthy growth of both indoor and outdoor plants. Visit compostguide.com for more information.

- David Wagoner

Holy Presence, may I breathe deeply and know full your movement in my life. May I remember to stop and listen with all my being for the blessing of this ‘here’.
Amen

- Read Proverbs  3: 19-20

Pot a plant:
use houseplants to freshen the air you breathe at home. Bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, chrysanthemum, corn cane, dracaena, English ivy, gerbera, peace lily, snake plant, and philodendron are especially effective.

Unconscious pleasure in the feel,
my hands caress the goddess’ skin,
home to countless exquisite miracles,
that link the living and the dead.

Bacteria, that’s all there was,
for half of life’s presence on Earth,
preparing the clay so Adam et. al.
could rise and love the sun.

They’re still there, the unseen multitude
that first learned to eat sunlight,
that made the sweet air we breathe,
that change the stuff of death to life.

I believe in the Holy Dirt,
Lord and giver of life
that proceeds from the mother,
without whom there is no life.
Amen

- Chuck Dayton

For dirt and air and sun and water, I give my thanks this day.
For the farmers and the reapers and the cooks and the laborers,
I give my thanks this day.
Help me, O God, to never forget this tapestry of people of which I am a thread.  Amen

- Read Psalm 139

I wonder how many times I have started to do something for Jesus, begun to doubt I could do it, and fell into the water? BUT –

Jesus was there to save me. He gave me strength to get up, think about it some more, and the wisdom to make a good decision.

In the state of Minnesota, with its jillions of lakes, I don’t  picture Peter walking on the water every time I pass a lake, but it crosses my mind every once in a while. Do I really trust Jesus to save me? Does He really want me to do this thing I’m thinking about?

Yes, Jesus saves me everyday. He forgives my sins, promises me a heavenly home, and hears my prayers. What a life!

- Rachel Elliott

Jesus, help me have the courage to know you and to follow in your Way even when the way is tough and I am afraid. Amen

- Read Psalm 104

Take the stairs. Walking up 60 flights of stairs may be unrealistic, but if you live or work closer to the ground level, bypass the elevator and head for the stairwell!

- Phyllis Krull

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, Remembering you in my prayers.”

— Ephesians 1:16

For those who travel with us, O God, grant us open and compassionate hearts. May we never take for granted our friends who share our joys, our sorrows, our lives.
Amen

Read Psalm 19: 1-10, 14

Unplug your appliances. Your electronic devices still draw energy when they’re plugged in but not in use! By simply getting into the habit of unplugging, you will reduce your energy consumption.

Creator Spirit, breathing, enlivening and energizing all creation, inspiriting the tiniest and most complex of your creatures, may we never cease our wonder at the reach of your love.

Facing the sacred in the south:

Creator Spirit, refiner and molder of earth’s magnificent forms, of heights and depths, of color and beauty . . . May we wonder at the power of your splendid artistry.

Facing the sacred in the west:

Creator Spirit, giver of flow and sustainer of this Garden Planet from which all things spring and thrive, may we live our thanks in work, play and rest.

Facing the sacred in the north:

Creator Spirit, creator of lively matter, swirling, holding the interplay of structure and changing forms . . . place and home . . . may we see your grand movement all around us.

- Bob Brinkley

Creator Spirit you are present to both our human senses and soul’s needs. Your dwelling place is with us…above, beneath, around and within us,
interlocking circles of all your beloved ones, past, present and forever.

Read Job 39: 1-12, 26-27

Get outside! The more time we spend enjoying creation, the more we appreciate how important it is to keep it healthy. Go for a walk or a bike ride, work in the garden, take the kids to the park or set aside a weekend to go camping.

But here on my table, inside the house
It only attracts my eyes and any guest’s who enters
Simply offering pure delight, pure joy
While the world is full of so much suffering
Some of which has crossed my threshold, sat at my table
Still there can be such beauty to feed our souls, it’s amazing

One orchid plant sits on my table

- Evelyn Ahlberg

Beautiful Creator,
for color and shape, for stem and vine, for blossom and bud,
my heart is filled with gratitude,
deep, deep gratitude.
Amen

Read Genesis 28: 10-17

Write a few lines or a poem about one of your most moving experiences in nature. What was it that touched you? How did you feel afterwards? How did this experience affect how you live your life?