Starter Prayer: All praise be Yours, my God, through Sister Earth, our mother; Who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces various fruits and colored flowers and herbs. Amen (St. Francis of Assisi)

Focus Phrase: Praise for Sister Earth!

Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:5

Optional Read-along: Water, Wind, Earth and Fire pp. 103-106a (Chapter Four: Sister Earth, Section: Sister Earth and Creation.)

Spiritual Direction:

I used to get jet lag, but not since I learned a trick from Dave’s mom. Grandma Annie told me, “When you get home from the airport, go in the backyard in minimal clothing; lie down in the grass for as long as you can and walk around barefoot in the grass.” 

Obviously, this is harder in cold weather, but I’m telling you: It works! The Earth grounds your body and restores your well-being. (Think Psalm 23: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he restoreth my soul.)

One time I arrived in Edinburgh after 20 hours of airline travel. I went straight to the city park and slept in the grass. (Not in minimal clothing this time:) I awoke feeling like I’d been on a spa retreat for a week.

In spiritual terms, the earth is Holy Ground; and earthly things are holy things. Think: Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem Glory Be to God for Dappled Things. (Yes, your pets are holy things in the family of God.)

In indiginous traditions the element of earth is often associated with the direction of north, which represents truth and sound guidance.

Christine Valters Paintner explains: Earth stands for what is material and solid in our being. It is the element our bodies are made of, breathed into, lit on fire, with blood and water flowing through our veins. It becomes the container for the other elements… It represents our limitations as well as our possibilities. The word humility comes from the root humus, which means earth.

When Jesus walked the earth, he used earthy metaphors to teach Grounded Truth.

We live in a time of disconnection from the gifts of the earth, which have so much wisdom for us. This week, you are invited to explore the reality of the earth in your own prayer and spiritual life through the tree of life, holy mountains, gardens, humility, food (!) and earth’s creatures.

For getting in  touch with the earth, try out as many of these practices are you are able this week:

• Find a topographical map of your area to learn the geography around your home.
• Walk barefoot or lie down in the grass.
• Hike in the woods.
• Visit the local farmers’ market.
• Give thanks for the gift of food; consider volunteering or financially supporting a hunger relief organization like Crossroads’ partner, Loveland’s Community Kitchen.

And no matter where the journey brings you this week, have this Celtic Blessing with you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, who,
herself unmoving, harbors the movements
and facilitates the life of the ten thousand creatures,
while resting contented, stable, tranquil.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you!

Be encouraged in your practice,

Katie Martinez

Endnotes

• For daily texts with the Focus Word, Starter Prayer and link to these daily posts, text the word “journey” to 970-500-0970.
• Are you receiving the weekly guide every Sunday via email? Register here.
• Join the Orange Dots of Hope Facebook Group for spiritual conversations on the journey.

This daily devotion is part of the Summer Growth Journey: Learning to Pray with Nature with Crossroads Church. Many of us are also reading through Water, Wind, Earth & Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements by Christine Valters Paintner. To purchase a copy, or for more information, email us at [email protected].