Dirt

It has occurred to me that my homekeeping is more than just a ministry to my husband (and future children), more than just obedience to the word of God. My husband and I watched the film Dirt! last night, which is about, well, dirt. The basic idea that the filmmakers convey is that dirt, the skin of the earth, is alive and essential to the survival of our planet. They illustrate the ways in which dirt is a living thing, and the ways in which traditional societies and people of faith around the world have had a relationship with dirt, and the ways in which our modern (industrial) society is ruining dirt, possibly irreparably. There are also examples of how violence against humans is often connected to violence against the environment.

Thankfully, the film ends with examples of people around the world who are doing their best to heal dirt, and consequently, heal ourselves and the whole planet. Dirt! is a good one to watch after you've seen the short film, "The Story of Stuff," by Annie Leonard, and any of her subsequent films. Dirt! goes into detail particularly concerning modern agricultural practices, which I feel is the preeminent "dirt" issue which we can easily do something about, just by the choices we make.

My husband and I consider ourselves to be rather eco-minded folk, and much of what the film had to say, we already knew. But the reminder for me is timely. As a homemaker, I have a great chance to drop out of consumerism entirely. I am in a good position to take the time and effort to do what little I can, like the hummingbird in the African folktale told in the film, who put out the forest fire one drop of water at a time. I already am doing a lot just by making my own food and buying less "stuff." I no longer drive a car. I purchase as much as I can from local independent stores, and buy clothes at thrift shops. We love to buy produce from the farmer's market. I wash dishes by hand and toss the washwater into the garden. I do the same with my bathwater. I hang my clothes on the line to dry. Still, I know I can do better. We can start growing food, even in this drought. I can use that wash and bath water to water veggies instead of just a pile of mulch. If I am able to stay home (I'm on temporary disability) and not return to work, I'll even have time to learn to make clothes for us so we hardly have to shop at all.

Keeping house is a way to help heal the dirt. It's harder when I have a job; I eat more junk and restaurant food, use more transportation, buy more stuff we don't need, and don't have as much energy to plan and take care with what I'm doing about water, laundry and so forth. Money becomes more important than other values in life. Also, I take poorer care of my clothes when I work at a job, and out of exhaustion I make more mistakes and need to replace things that I'd otherwise care for and use longer. I also have less time and energy to plan, budget, and think of more ways to improve our environment. This is important to us, as stewards of God's earth.