In Appreciation of our Earth (and Ivan Chouinard)

Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas, and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:9-10

It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands and I ordained all their host. Isaiah 45:12

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice. Psalm 96:12

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Luke 12:27

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:28-34

Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11-12

In honor of Earth Day, I’m sharing some thoughts on Patagonia’s founder, Ivan Chouinard. I recently read an essay about him in National Geographic magazine, listing him as an icon of conservation. His story is somewhat unique and certainly admirable. He says: “I use everything until it completely falls apart. My whole life has been pretty simple, really. I’m not a consumer.” While one may be skeptical about this sort of statement from someone who owns/owned a clothing company, Chouinard surprised many by selling his company in 2022. ““I have a living,” he told the New Yorker in 1977, “and that’s all I want out of it.”" He gave away the three-billion-dollar company, with 2 percent of its shares going to a trust that “helps guide Patagonia's social good mission and the other 98 percent to a newly created nonprofit, the Holdfast Collective, which uses the funds to advocate for environmental causes. “Earth,” Chouinard wrote on Patagonia’s website, “is now our only shareholder.””

Speaking to the nature lover in me, he shares this in the essay: “the climate crisis cannot be solved until people find their spiritual connection with nature.” It’s never too late or too early to find your “spiritual connection with nature”. Step outside, take a walk, revel in the trees and flowers you see. As one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, says: “Pay attention.”

We don’t need to be an Ivan Chouinard to do our part. But we can do what we know is right and support those who are doing great things for the planet. Awareness is key. This may be part of why I enjoy sharing my nature photography…like our Lincoln neighbor Joel Sartore, I believe that if we can get others to care, that’s the first step.  

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me do my part in caring for the earth. Help me to see the miraculous world you have created as the irreplaceable planet that it is. Show me how to care for it, including its creatures, human and otherwise. Amen.

Donna Gustafson (click on photos to view larger)