October is a time when autumn descends on the northern hemisphere, and flowers appear in the southern hemisphere. Many of the northern trees turn from green to shades of red, yellow, gold, and orange as depicted in this painting called Big Mountain Autumn.
Autumn Maple
By Al Vester
All gilded are the hills that autumn crowns
With maple trees and thistle down,
Where winds do softly toss and tease
The leaves turned bright by nightly freeze.
My heart and dreams are always found
On wooded hill near edge of town,
For this is where my soul’s at ease
‘Neath Douglas fir and maple trees.
When woodland thrills to autumn sounds
Of hunters and their baying hounds,
I love to lie among the leaves
Idly doing as I please.
Let others run and chase around
Searching for the joy I’ve found,
Brought every autumn by the breeze
‘Neath Douglas fir and maple trees.
Conservation
We live in a beautiful world that was created for our use, but also a world we should care for with wisdom and responsibility. In my youth the topic of conservation of resources was often discussed, which to my young mind meant that we should wisely use and not abuse this world in which we live. But since then, opposing camps have developed newer terms to justify divergent opinions such as: environmental protection, economic sustainability, resource development, etc. Such high sounding terms often hide an agenda that favors some specific group over another.
On one extreme, some environmental groups would lock up vast stretches of land so that no roads, houses, or economic development could be done in those so-call wilderness areas. This option is fine with those who are healthy and can afford the time needed to backpack into these wilderness area. But, such policies effectively lock out older people as well as young families with small children. The other extreme are the exploiters who care only for the quick profits and big bonuses that can come from grabbing resources without any care about the future impact on the land or the environment. Both extremes will tend to label those seeking a middle ground as their enemies. Yet it is possible to find a middle ground where needed resources can be obtained without abusing the environment. This is why I love the idea of being a conservationist.
Conservation example
On the coast of Oregon, where my father grew up, trees were harvested, replanted, and years later harvested again. In my father’s life time, one stretch along Tillamook bay had been harvested three times. Now, that same area is thick with another crop of hemlock and Douglas fir. With care and wisdom, we can live in a beautiful world and sustain our needs at the same time.
Conserving our stewardship
In the first chapter of Genesis, God gives man dominion over the animals on the land, in the air, and in the sea. We are like gardeners hired to live in a garden. We have been given the charge to use and improve the land while still maintaining the beauty and health of the garden. This earth is our Heavenly Father’s garden. It was formed and planted to provide a home for the family of man, His family. How we treat our home is reflected in how we treat each other. Those who treat this earth as a gift from a loving God, also tend to treat others as children of that same God, with each person deserving of respect and kindness. While others who exploit this earth also tend to exploit other people as if they are only a means to an end or, worst, obstacles to be eliminated.
My hope is that we can all become conservationists, who will wisely use the resources of this earth while protecting its beauty and ability to sustain all life on this marvelous world.
