As October approaches, a message reflecting on the importance of appreciating and protecting creation has been shared with the community. Drawing from personal memories, the author recalls mornings when their mother would open the curtains and greet them with, “Good morning! Time to rise and shine!” The experience is used as a metaphor for allowing new perspectives into one’s life.

The message highlights how easily people can become indifferent to the world around them. Referencing Joni Mitchell’s song “Big Yellow Taxi,” which was inspired by her visit to Hawaii where she saw green mountains overshadowed by a vast parking lot, it is noted that “They paved paradise, put up a parking lot—awakens us to see more clearly how easily we can close our eyes and surrender to the darkness.” This lyric is used to illustrate how people may overlook or neglect the beauty of creation.

October is described as an opportunity for renewal in caring for all aspects of creation, including human life. The message urges individuals not to ignore life’s sanctity wherever it appears—whether in a mother’s womb or elsewhere—and encourages embracing each day with purpose: “We are summoned to embrace each new day with purpose, knowing that all we say and do must serve to awaken others to appreciate the sacredness of life.”

A quote from Dr. Bernard Nathanson is included: “Fewer women would have abortions if wombs had windows.” The statement suggests that greater transparency could foster more respect and compassion among people.

The message concludes by emphasizing the need for spiritual awakening: “When our windows are covered over and our hearts paved over, like the paradise of Joni Mitchell’s song, we urgently need God’s amazing grace to enter in... We need to be awakened to the beauty of creation and the possibilities of a new day.”