I don’t like to tell people what to do. In fact, except for my kids, who lack imagination where performing necessary tasks is concerned, I’ve come to dislike it extremely. Well, even then. But I’ve been thinking lately that Mormons appear to be beeline people, traveling in more or less straight lines between this or that field of responsibility and the home hive. Work, home, school, home, temple, home, ward house, home, stake house, home, temple, home, Walmart— home, thank goodness!
Is Mormonism an indoor culture?
Whether it is or not, Earth Day is coming up April 22, less than one week away. If at all possible, I hope folks try to get outside, day or night, and have a good look around. And consider taking the kids. Even if it’s backyard exploration or a half-hour jaunt to the local park. Do a little bird-watching— populations are migrating right now, you might see something surprising. No need to step very far out of your comfort zone, and please, don’t take unnecessary risks. Keep it simple and close, if that’s your speed. It’s all call of the wild.
The world’s extraordinary, even when strange, even where it isn’t as beautiful as it used to be, and it stands in needs of us. Mormons. Not to save it, but to abide with it, to wind ourselves deeper into its braid. To change simply by witnessing, to be changed. It’s the nature of spirituality to rise to the surface at the least opportunity.
So try? Even for a few minutes. Stop between buildings. Wind down the car window. Think about God’s taffy pull with light, stretching it into being, shuffling land and sea, granting earth permission to sprout grass, sprinkling stars around the sun and moon, invoking the waters to bring forth life, shaping animals upon their bones, and seeing it all as good.
It is good. Even the seemingly bad reflects glints of good.
Get out and see for yourself. I’ll be reporting on my Earth Day activities, so if something cool happens to you while you’re out, you’ll be able to post about it in the comments.
Like I said, not to tell people what to do (shudder), but to suggest a possibility. People can’t have too many possibilities.
Wilderness Interface Zone 