God’s Love for Creation and Our Stewardship of It

Does being in nature lift your soul to God? Lisa M. Hendey, founder of CatholicMom.com, explains that since childhood, both the Bible and the natural world have instilled a sense of the sacred within her. Our call to care for one another by caring for the world around us springs from scripture, Hendey says. She believes that nature can open a door to conversations with those who are away from the Church.

Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of the award-winning CatholicMom.com. She is the bestselling author of multiple books for adults and children, including The Handbook for Catholic Moms, A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms, The Grace of Yes, I’m a Saint in the Making, and the Chime Travelers fiction series. Her contribution to the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible includes reflections on sustaining morning prayer; scripture’s call to care for creation; and the power of story in our devotional lives.

Take the Scripture Lisa Reflected On to Your Next Holy Hour

Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today. 

Read the Word: Psalm 19:1–6 

(Read it—or the whole Psalm—in your own Bible so you can make notes.)

“To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day-to-day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words; 
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

Ponder the Word: Read the passage several times, lingering where it touches your heart. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you? 

Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care.

Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?