Earthworms

Whenever it rains, earthworms come up out of their burrows and squirm above the ground. Usually, I grimace and toss them back into the garden. Remember the old song: “Worms crawl in, worms crawl out…”  Worms used to make me think of death and decay.  Not anymore. 

Much to my family’s amusement, I read The Earth Moved by Amy Stewart about earthworms and what they do and was fascinated.  They rolled their eyes when I raved about these creatures.  Of course, most people have dissected worms in high school biology and learned a worm cut in half can survive and regenerate and even grow new body parts. 

But did you know ---

Earthworms alter soil composition, increase its capacity to absorb and hold water and bring increased nutrients and microorganisms.  Worms pass the top few inches of soil through their innards each year returning fertile casings to the soil.  Worms excrete excess calcium into the soil and calcium allows plants to take up nitrogen which promotes leaf growth and assists in protein systhesis.  They prepare the soil for farming!  You like your veggies, don’t you?

Worms can change an environment.  Some cities are building “continuous flow reactors” (massive worm composters) and turning sewage into usable soil and recycled water into new wetlands that support endangered species like the great blue heron.  Worms are able to remove E. Coli and salmonella from sewage.  They are also used as biomonitors measuring toxic waste sites where they can quickly take up pollutants into their body tissues.  Worms can actually break down PCBs.  They can actually clean the soil and restore land!

I may start composting just to observe these fascinating creatures.  They love banana peels, melon rinds, coffee grounds, lettuce leaves.  They like to be kept warm with a cover of shredded newspaper.  Think of it! Come spring, the worms will have turned table scraps into natural fertilizer to make my garden grow.

Sometimes the spiritual lesson is being amazed by the wonderful creatures God has created and complexity of the jobs He’s given them.  And we humans think we work hard!

The next time you have a tasty green salad, lift your fork in thanksgiving to God for worms!