each other… so, how are you? Really? How are you actually doing?” she asked. After a few seconds of silence, the fam- ily began to speak up.


“Fine. Happy to have food on the table and a roof over my head”


“Okay, I guess… I’ve almost watched every puppy video on the internet, I think”


Philip and Nancy silently mouthed their worries… their mic was muted.


Lisa spoke up: “Not super great… my dog has been sick and our vet tested positive, so it’s been a bit of a mess over here to be honest.”


Jane, a naturalist who was tuning in from the back porch of her house in the woods, listened patiently. Soon, she grew distracted by the mixed flock of birds enjoying her multiple bird feeders.


“Jane? How are you feeling?” Dorothy pressed.


“What? Oh, sorry. Check out these beautiful cardinals and juncos!” Jane panned her phone towards the feeders. Most of her family stared blankly. Jane was used to being the most enthusiastic person in the room, real or virtual.


“I guess you could say I’m a bit sad,” Jane began “I’m super grateful to live where I live and get to enjoy all that nature has to offer in my neck of the woods and all… but man, my students are not doing well. They’re just sitting in front of their tablets for hours and hours and hours, either doing school or watching videos after school. I feel like these lock- downs have been great opportunities to get outside more… yet it seems like we’re inside more than ever. Plus, as you all know, I’m a huge conservationist and I feel like taking care of our planet has completely fallen out of everyone’s brains at this point…”


“Oh, here she goes again,” groaned Uncle Rudy.


“Rudy, everyone’s feelings are valid… let’s have a respectful and loving Christmas here, please,” chided Dorothy.


“Jane, I hear you on that,” Francis chimed in. “Our Sunday School program and honestly our services have just not been the same this year with it all being virtual. And I agree people seem to have mostly forgotten about stewardship of creation this year.”


“I mean, no offense guys, but I’m pretty sure we all have other things to worry about besides recycling and stuff. That’s nice and all, but we’re in a pandemic,” Pete interjected.


Rudy agreed, “Right on, Pete. These environmentalists just never stop… always ‘bad, bad, bad,’ blah, blah, blah.”


“Uncle Rudy, I wouldn’t say ‘bad, bad, bad’ if you weren’t Green Teacher 126 Page 19


“Rudy… you are quite the man of prayer, I know this… but you’re blowing Jane off like the Earth and all its creatures don’t matter… is that how you feel?” asked Francis.


“Hey, God gave us the world and everything in it, right? So I can do with it what I want.”


Jane interrupted “Great, the whole “dominion” thing...”


“Rudy, you’re referring to Genesis 1:28…” Francis reached for his Bible. “Yes, God tells Adam and Eve he’s giving them the plants to eat and authority over the Earth… but pay close attention to the language. While I agree that God has put us “above” Creation… we are not above Him. If Cre- ation is a choir, we may be the directors, but God owns the theater. We are His representatives to the Earth and all who live here, human or not! Look at Psalm 148, Job 38–40, Mat- thew 6:26 and many more places.”


always destroying everything wild around you!” Jane shot back.


“Come on, Rudy…” Francis started.


“Oh, what? You’re defending her?” Rudy grimaced “What do you even care, Francis? I mean she pretty much worships nature… always hugging trees and talking to birds or what- ever. Hippies and preachers go together like oil and water if you ask me!”


“Nobody asked you,” Jane huffed.


“Well, Rudy, you sure are trying your best to mess up this little get together,” sighed Bill.


Philip and Nancy said something… their mic was still on mute.


“You know what… No, this is actually good,” began Fran- cis. “One of the saddest things I’ve seen this year is the divi- siveness that’s spread all around, pitting neighbor against neighbor. Well, here it is, right here in the middle of our family. So Rudy, let me get this straight… you feel attacked by Jane and her concerns for the environment?”


“Yeah, I guess you could say that. I don’t really care. Though. I mean, I know what’s important. She can keep her “going green” to herself. I’ve got Jesus and I’m not of this world, so I’m good.”


“Oh, so then you can keep your Jesus to yourself then, huh?” replied Jane defensively.


“Hey, the truth will set you free… Jesus is the reason for the season. At least I’m focused on what actually matters… not silly regulations and happy chipmunks or whatever,” answered Rudy.


“Do you even hear yourself sometimes? Seriously!” Jane huffed.


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