morning walk - picking up plastic

This morning I got up a little early and took a 5.5 mile walk, according to my step counter. This is pretty great weather for a walk, temperature wise. I don't mind the humidity as long as it does not rain hard. It didn't.

My Greek class gets two weeks off and I have some reading to catch up on.

I didn't take notes. I had something to actually blog about but now I cannot remember.

Oh I have never truly admitted that I pick up plastic as I walk. These days I have two large special bags to fill up. I feel embarrassed to admit this but I might as well. Yes I look funny doing this for lots of reasons.

I pick up aluminum and plastic. In addition I might clean up a little if I can see a nearby trash can to put them in.

Monday mornings is a great time to walk because this day is trash pickup day and I can use the containers left out on the street to deposit some things I pick up.

I call this an oblation. Oblation is an archaic word. I have decided (or been told) that it is an offering that consists of ones actions. Whether that is the true definition or not I think, before God, that is what I am doing. The area around my house is cleaner now than it used to be. I believe by faith that it is also a bit cleaner in the spiritual realm. I consider that others have seen what I do and decided to do likewise. I know by myself I can only be a drop in the ocean. I do know the older lady next door has picked up the idea. She has always swept walks. But now she also picks up trash. She has a special burden for all the neighborhood newspapers that are delivered uninvited. They are left where they fall to get wet and rot. She picks them up and recycles the paper.

I was asked Friday if I pray as I walk. Some. I pray for neighborhoods and the people in them. Some. But I think the act of walking itself is a form of prayer. I am coining the word oblation for what I do. Thanks to God who is the only one who can change hearts, I believe is has an affect.

Now I remember what I was going to talk about. Maybe tomorrow.