We live in such turbulent times. Unfolding climate chaos. The worldwide pandemic. And now, with the murder of George Floyd, boiling outrage over racist policing and other manifestations of the centuries-old racist stain that continues to mar the ideals of the United States.

What else can be said that others haven’t already said very eloquently?

I just have one humble thought. As we try to heal, we will sometimes need to do positive things together. And by positive things I mean tangible, limb-moving, calorie-burning, body-engaging things that are not self-conscious moments of conversation and reflection.

Talking and reflecting in heartfelt ways are, of course, incredibly important things. But actually doing things together is just as essential. Actions taken together can imbed new ways of thinking and feeling even deeper into our hearts, minds, and the very fiber of our being.

And what are things we can do that make us feel whole and just human together? I’d suggest any engagement with God’s earth in positive ways.

Birding. Making and enjoying food. Gardening. Farming. Restoration of natural areas.

Creation takes us out of our distinction-making mindset between people and reminds us we are one set of beings and we enjoy and depend on one world. Creation takes us beyond words and our head space.

And, ideally, in that activity in Creation there is an encounter wtih God, consciously or unconsciously, that leads to deep humility.

A Novel Idea

I want to give you fair warning – I have begun writing a novel. In it I plan to further explore the ideas I’ve been exploring in this blog.

While I’m moved by the power of story, I have almost no experience writing fiction. So, to get over paralzying hangups about doing this well, I have made my goal just this – complete the first draft of a very bad novel. I am happy to report that I am indeed on pace (a very slow pace) to write one of the worst novels ever written. I’m guessing in fact that the secret guardians of literary quality are already planning to treat this work the way Russian authorities treated Chernobyl – entomb it forever in concrete.

Am I being excessively humble?

Not really. My characters, for example, all speak like they were clones of each other. Actually, and what is even worse, I think they all speak like they were clones of me.

Despite all that, I’m doing my best to accept where I am and to just plug away. Over time I hope to build some craft. I have other story ideas, too, all of which grow out of my passion for the topic of the abundant life Jesus offers, including a new relationship with God’s earth.

We only grow when we are out beyond what feels comfortable and easy. What new things are you trying this year?

Water Scorpions

A friend and farmer here at the Prairie Crossing Farm in Grayslake recently saw an unusual insect while he was working in a vegetable field. The insect was nothing like he had ever seen. It was about four inches in length, including a long tube-like structure coming out of its back end. It flew away later with wings that emerged from under armored covering.

A water scorpion!

Water scorpions are not even closely related to real scorpions. Real scorpions are arachnids with eight legs, while water scorpions are insects with not a bit of venom. The tube-like structure is actually a breathing device that allows the water scorpion to hunt in its favorite hunting grounds – underwater. In fact, it can pack bubbles of air on its abdomen’s specialized breathing holes and then use the bubbles later like handy oxygen tanks.

There is so much more that is fascinating about these insect. I encourage you to read more about them here. This world is truly amazing.

Water scorpion (photo by Wim Rubers)