Look for ways to give back to our Earth

Earth Day, April 22, arrives at a time when the Earth is bursting with life. Trees are leafing out, grass is becoming thick and green, flowers are blossoming in cheerful color. The warmed soil is just asking for seeds and April showers. Everywhere the Earth renews itself.

And the Earth gives! One is humbled to think of how much the earth gives — every bite of food, breath of air, glass of water — all given amidst great beauty. How easy it is to take all this for granted, to think of it all just happening automatically and invincibly, regardless of how we treat the Earth. Yet we don’t have to look far to see how we affect the Earth. Science adds to our knowledge of this impact: climate disruption, species extinction, depletion of top soil and water resources, oceans being polluted with plastic, on and on.

Earth Day is a good time to look at our relationship with the Earth and to think of how that relationship can heal. One may hesitate thinking there’s nothing I can do. But every action does make a difference. Healing the relationship with the Earth can begin with a very simple gesture — picking up one piece of roadside litter.

Arkansas Interfaith Power and Light invites all interested to meet this Earth Day, April 22, at 9 a.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 820 W. Oak St. in Rogers. We will engage in a morning of litter removal on streets in Rogers. Lunch will be served at 11:30. Co-sponsors are the Arkansas Citizens Climate Lobby and St. Andrews Episcopal Church. For information, please contact Nancy Brown, (479) 616-8043. Please join us in a morning of enjoying and relating to the Earth and each other. NANCY BROWN Bella Vista