The earth provides. It is so easy to interpret offering gratitude to the earth as a pagan form of idol worship. I know I used to think it was a bit silly to worship the earth. How else was a Western mind to think? Also,was that not an affront to the one true God?
However,as I began to sit with Native people and to share thier lives,I developed a totally different perpective. For example, I experienced very little "worship" in tribal people, as Westerners describe and experience worship.

Worship in a Western sense, I have come to see, means a one-up/one-down relationship of subervience. What we Westerners interpret as worship is simply not possible when we are participating with the Creator in the universe. I have experienced most tribal people as just being grateful for a gift. What makes the plants grow, therefore feeding all the earth? The sun is necessary for all process. And where would all this growing be without water? Nowhere. I need to acknowledge my gratitude for the sun and water and not take water for granted.
I quote:
"We must repect our Mother,the Earth, or we can never grow as human beings,her children."

………Yankton Lakota Elder

"In earth, air, sun, and water, I see the fine hand of the Creator. Without these treasures, I would not be here to give thanks