The right response to a gift? Gratitude. Whether it’s artwork created by your grandmother, or something much much bigger.
I’d heard stories about its creation my whole life. My mother had watched her mother work the ambitious needlework project in fits and starts throughout her childhood. She remembers Grandmama following the pattern carefully, the fabric held tight in an embroidery hoop, the brightly colored threads forming the image that seemed to appear almost magically. The design depicts a country lane that leads to a woodland cabin. There’s a well in the foreground, pine trees in the background, and sunflowers growing in the field. Grandmama didn’t get to finish it when her own kids were underfoot. But, when she finally did complete it, Grandmama had her masterpiece framed and gave it as a gift to her daughter–who, by then, had daughters of her own.
I have always loved it just as my mother must have when she was a girl. As a child, I would imagine myself into the picture, walking down the lane, stopping by the well for a cold drink, picking sunflowers along the way. Wherever we lived (we moved several times) Grandmama’s artwork always earned a spot of honor: the living room wall, the entryway, or over the fireplace.
Then one Christmas a decade or so ago Mother passed the picture on to me. I still remember the feeling I had when I realized what it was: honored, unworthy, moved, delighted . . . and then some. Now, Grandmama’s picture is above my fireplace and I love it every single day. It is one of my most treasured gifts.
And that is what it is: a gift. I did nothing to deserve it or earn it. My grandmother created it, my mother took care of it, and now I get to enjoy it. It is a free, unmerited, and oh so gracious gift. I truly cannot imagine being careless with my beloved grandmama’s hand-crafted creation. I handle it with gratitude, respect, and humility.
On April 22, 1970, the US celebrated the first Earth Day. The day was designated to promote passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Act, but it has continued as a day when we intentionally turn our focus to environmental concerns.
For people of faith, Earth Day is a wonderful reminder of the gift of God’s creation to us. None of us did anything to deserve or earn this magnificent planet. God created it, our ancestors have taken care of it, and now we get to enjoy it. It is a free, unmerited and oh so gracious gift.
And yet, who among us has not been guilty of careless disregard and prideful flippancy when it comes to the earth’s environment? How many times do we ignore good and faithful teaching because it suggests habit change that is inconvenient or frustrating? Do our attitudes about the earth and the environment reflect our gratitude for God’s gift of creation?
The earth: a gift of unparalleled generosity. I aim to be more intentional in actively expressing thanksgiving. I have some ideas about how to start doing that, but could use your help too. How do you show your appreciation for the planet? I’d love to hear your ideas. Just post them in the comments, okay?
