From Sea to Shining Sea

Pacific Ocean,  Costa Rica

 As we begin our Camino journey, we find ourselves following the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. Much of our journey through Portugal follows the Atlantic Coast. In some places the shoreline is rugged while in other places the waves meet the shore with no obvious barriers to break the constant movement of the ocean waves. The ocean is doing what it has done from beginning of time -- moving with the tides. As we watch the waves break along the shore, we realize that we have been blessed to experience both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in ten days. The gift of the sea reminds us that we are one small part of the world God imagined on that first day of creation when the scripture reported that God separated the water from the land. 

As I reflect upon the two oceans, I am recalling the lyrics to two American songs about our land, "God Bless America" and "This Land is your Land." I know that neither ocean is exclusively American property, but these songs express the beauty that I see as we journey from one ocean to another. 

Atlantic Ocean, Portugal

This land is your land and this land is my land From California to the New York island From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters This land was made for you and me

From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home

As much as we love these songs and they express our warm feelings about the land that makes up the United States, we have so much to learn from the nations of Portugal and Costa Rica. As we journeyed through these nations, we were impressed with the number of electric cars parked along the streets. Walking or cycling is the preferred travel and throughout the country, it is not uncommon to see wind turbines, solar panels on homes, multiple charging points for electric cars. Homes and furniture are made from 100% recycled plastic and much of the resources of the nations are invested in the care of their natural world. Their attention to such detail demonstrates to me what God asked of Adam and Eve, "...to care and tend garden..." 

Truly the gift of creation and the land each of our nations are blessed to have in trust, is a fragile and delicate balance of the natural laws of the earth. As we walk along the Atlantic shore of the nation of Portugal, the power of the ocean, the movement of the wind, the formation of the earth is so much bigger than our own sense of power and strength. The earth is doing all that it can to keep the natural balance. Some nations and its people are more in tune with the rhythm of the earth while others still have much work to do. Our spirits are full today and we are blessed to have the opportunity to expereince. As God separated the earth from the waters, we are reminded that all is in place for the earth to survive and our human spirits must also partner with God to keep the earth healthy, viable and beautiful. May we embrace our partnership and be at one with the earth.