Humus & Soil Science; Or Dirty Hands & A Light Heart

I am teaching a soils class at a local school. Jr high/high school age; it is fun. 
The sea of blank stares that met my lecture on adhesion & cohesion has transformed into curiosity; they are asking questions, interested questions, and yesterday we went outside of the school property to collect a soil sample from the banks of a nearby creek. Which always counts for something. 
And such a relief to finally be beyond the hope of being found cool by the younger generation. I am just an old lady with dirt on her hands, gesticulating madly over the compost bins, straw & composty bits in my hair. 

This is a classical, Christian academy, so I can veer off into theology & poetry at will (which is all I really want to do anyway.)

Humus
I've been thinking so much about humus. Not hummus, the Middle Eastern spread (I'm always thinking about hummus in some regard or another, usually it's "Exactly how long til I am next eating hummus?")

I want to talk to my students about humus, and not just its scientific definition & role in holding the soils of the planet together. I want them to know that the word humus comes from the same root as human, humility, & homage. That though the life of the soil is unseen, it is essential to our entire planet's survival. That though humility & honoring others above ourselves (giving them homage) is not acclaimed or lauded or seen as successful, these little acts hold us all together, and grows the higher acts of love & courage & generosity in a world that has grown cold, whose heart-soil is barren.

Eventually, (if the metaphor will hold together,) It will be the humble humus-y hearts of rich soil that will sustain a forest of world changers.

Suddenly "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" takes on a whole new meaning. 

(Thanks you, Luci Shaw-for pointing out this word play in her beautiful book, "Water My Soul".
Well done, and I love your work!)