Nature doesn't know

This week we planted seeds. We planted tomato seeds, and squash seeds, and cucumber seeds. We planted basil. We brought our Hosta pots out of hibernation and gave them water and sunshine. The chicken coop got mucked, and swept. I brushed the cobwebs off of the ceiling, and cleaned the nesting boxes. The hens stood outside, clucking at me, waiting for each shovel of old, rotting hay I threw out of the coop door, and then they scratched and pecked like chickens do. The bugs have begun to wake up, so we sprayed pest control along the perimeter of our house. We dug a hole in the duck pen for them to have a big pond. They were so excited when they saw us making something for them. And when they saw us bring the hose over they quacked their happy, thankful quacks. Then they jumped in the deep water and their ducky feet paddled while they floated.

We also found out that online school will be extended until the 30th, but maybe longer. I got an email that there is an Albuterol shortage. Mimi has asthma, and needs this medication. Positive tests for Coronavirus have surpassed one million. The daughter of someone that Peter works with has been exposed to the virus. Suddenly the ramifications of this illness are non longer abstract and distant, but in the very place we live, work, and play. Our lives are changing, and we are getting used to the new way of living. There doesn't seem to be an end to the decline of society. Resignation to isolation is setting in.

I am learning from nature. The bulbs in my yard are sprouting out of the earth. My chickens and ducks have begun to lay their eggs in copious amounts. The seeds we handled carefully, and covered lovingly with dirt are sprouting, along with the promise of food grown from our own labors. My ducks splash and play in the water they were created to adore.

Nature does not know that earth is supposedly falling apart. 

Nature does not doubt its creator. 

Nature does not fear. 

Psalm 104 tells of the provision of our Shepherd.

He set the earth on its foundations, that it should never be moved. 

He gives drink to the beasts of the field. 

He causes grass to grow, and water the trees for the birds to dwell and sing. 

He marks the seasons with the moon. 

And still, they look to God to give them food in due season. 

They gather it when it is given, and surrender to the will of The One they trust when it is withheld. 

I accept this lesson. I am choosing to trust the wisdom of God in these moments of bad news. I rejoice in the Lord, and I believe that he will send forth his Spirit, and he will renew the face of the ground.