By World Bank estimates there are some 3 billion human beings (half the citizens of Planet Earth), who must subsist on less than $2 per day. Of these, 1.3 billion, (mostly mothers and their children) survive on less than $1 per day. Former President Jimmy Carter says that the growing disparity between the rich and the poor is the greatest problem in the world today. We have plenty left to do, don't we?

The World Summit 2002 in Johannesburg struggled with who would pay for the needed improvements in our world. They worked on arriving at plans of implementation with concrete timetables and targets. As citizens of the world, all of us can pray everyday to support the best thinking of heads of state, lawmakers, scientists, business leaders, teachers, parents, everyone in making decisions that will help our Mother Earth be a good home forever.

It is a mutual relationship. When we are good stewards for the Earth, the Earth provides our air, water, food for us. This sustainable condition is vital. If we get bogged down in looking for solutions solely from governments, businesses or the land, it won't be enough. We must turn to God. We are inseparable from our spiritual Source. We "dwell between His shoulders." That's as close as you can get. We are the very thoughts of God. He/she is thinking us. So we can know what is right to do if we listen to God.

Here are some words to ponder, the deplorable de-'s and the regenerative re-'s. We can choose which ones to focus on, which ones to magnify in our thought, to realize in our experience.

death debase decay decease deceit decline defeat defile deform defraud deforest defy degrade delay delude

deplete deplore deprave deprive derange deride desert despair despise despoil destroy deteriorate devil denude deny

ready reality reason reassure receptive reclaim recognize recompense reconcile reconstruct recycle redeem reflect reform refuge regain regenerate realize

reinstate rejoice release relief relinquish rely remedy renew reopen repair repent replace replenish reproduce require rescue resist

resolve resort resources respect respond rest restore resuscitate resurrect retain reveal revelation revere reverse revive revolution reward

When we realize that there is no power apart from God, we can deny what these de words represent and we can rely on what the re words stand for. They are spiritual resources. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, "Soul (God) has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul." (Science and Health, page 20:29-31)

"More secure" sounds a lot like sustainable doesn't it? As I have endeavored to ask God to show me ways to reach out using spiritual resources, I have found they don't get depleted like physical ones since Father-Mother God is an infinite source. Another great word to consider at length is "enough." The influx of ideas of how to help is endless. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need."(Science and Health, page 494:10-11) and so it has been proving true in my life.