"When Adam gardened, he imitated his Maker in a purely recreative act of cultivation and care. He did not need to subdue the earth in order for it to yield fruit. Rather, the plants were Adam's palette, and the earth was his canvas. There was nothing but delight in the Garden, for Eden itself means "garden of delight."
- Vigen Guorian
Thanks to the great and admirable labors of my mother, our garden yielded its first fruits. Professor Guorian describes gardening as being an endeavor that acts toward the restoring our senses as well as blessing and sanctifying the earth given to us.
In cultivating the earth may we also learn to cultivate our souls.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Creation
O God, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen:
You place us in your creation, and you com- mand us to care for it.
Your works declare glory and splendor, and you call us to praise and reverence.
Where we have degraded or destroyed earth’s bounty, forgive us.
Where we have taken beauty and majesty for granted, have mercy upon us.
Where we have become estranged from the creatures with whom we share this planet, grant us your peace.
Renew us in the waters of baptism,
refresh us with the winds of your spirit,
and sustain us with the bread of life.
In the name of Jesus Christ, and for the sake of the new creation, we pray. Amen.
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