Where on earth are you?
My mother used to begin almost every phone call to me with this loving plea when I would call her to say hi — and yes, to let her know where in the world my travel had taken me.
I’ve thought a lot about that question recently with all the news coverage of International Mother Earth Day — April 22, as declared by the United Nations for the entire world. At least 175 countries observed the importance of this day in one way or another.
Walking recently through the New England woods near my home, I spent some quiet time praying about about our planet’s environment. Do I pray about the quality of the air?…the availability and purity of water?…what about the seeming shift in climate patterns?
It occurred to me that all of these environmental elements share one purpose: they affect the quality of life for every individual on the planet. Life.
On my walk, I saw one lone daffodil blooming and standing erect, surrounded by winter earth and cold air. The first to come forth, the promise of more spring color and growth to come…birth and rebirth, even in the midst of apparent barrenness. At that moment, I was humbled by the nobility of Mother Earth and her tender and consistent expression of Life.
This is evidence of the Divine to me: that no matter where on earth I am, what challenges to the natural purity and replenishment of the planet’s resources I see before me, that divine Life — Father-Mother Life and Love — is a constant, ever-present power embracing all of humanity. This is our most powerful resource, to guide us in our mindful, intelligent care of the earth’s assets.
One of my favorite lines from the Lord’s Prayer is “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Spiritual author Mary Baker Eddy offers her spiritual sense of this statement, “Enable us to know, — as in heaven, so on earth, God is omnipotent, supreme.” (Science and Health, page 17) Mother God is omnipotent, supreme — right here and now on this earth.
Where on earth are you?
As I have continued to think and pray about Mother Earth and what it might mean to each of us no matter where on earth we are, I have seen more evidence of individual and collective activity in caring for the planet’s rich resources. Let’s all resolve to humble ourselves as children of one world, to the powerful expression of one Mother Earth, this day and every day.
Glad you’re here! I’m Virginia Harris, and I’m delighted to have this opportunity to share with you some of the spiritual ideas that have meant so much to me. I hope they’ll touch your heart too. These concepts are practical and can bring one greater peace, an enlarged sense of purpose, and even physical healing. They're found in the Bible and in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, particularly her primary work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.