A Passage for March
/Here at YA Headquarters in Northern California, we've been getting some much-needed rain which has really kicked nature into high gear! With spring now out in full force, we've really been appreciating the natural world around us. The nature surrounding us reminded us of a passage we've read in God Makes the Rivers to Flow , "Great Life-Giving Spirit", from the Native American tradition. The connection between our day-to-day life and the words of the passage is so strong . . . we were inspired and memorized it last week!
This got us to thinking about how memorizing passages can tie into our daily life. The inspiration can go both ways: daily life inspiring passage choices, and passage choices inspiring daily life. We thought we'd pose the topic to the YA Blog community and would love to hear from YA and non-YA readers alike!
In the comments below, share your answers to the following questions, or any of your other thoughts.
- When have you been inspired to memorize a specific passage? What was the inspiration?
- Is there a line in the passage that sticks out to you? Why?
If you're looking for a new passage to memorize, this one is certainly recommended!
Great Life-Giving Spirit – Native American Tradition
Great Spirit of Love, come to me with the power of the North. Make me courageous when the cold winds of life fall upon me.
Give me strength and endurance for everything that is harsh, everything that hurts, everything that makes me squint. Make me move through life ready to take what comes from the North.
Spirit who comes out of the East, come to me with the power of the rising sun. Let there be light in my word. Let there be light on the path that I walk. Let me remember always that you give the gift of a new day. Never let me be burdened with sorrow by not starting over.
Great Spirit of creation, send me the warm and soothing winds from the South. Comfort me and caress me when I am tired and cold. Enfold me as your gentle breezes enfold your leaves on the trees. And as you give to all the earth your warm, moving wind, give to me so that I may grow close to you in warmth.
Great life-giving Spirit, I face the West, the direction of sundown. Let me remember every day that the moment will come when my sun will go down. Never let me forget that I must fade into you. Give me beautiful color. Give me a great sky for setting, and when it is time for meet you, I come with glory.
And Giver of all life, I pray to you from the earth, help me to remember as I touch the earth that I am little and need your pity. Help me to be thankful for the gift of the earth and never to walk hurtfully on the world. Bless me to love what comes from mother earth and teach me to love your gifts.
Great Spirit of the heavens, lift me up to you that my heart may worship you and come to you in glory. Hold in my memory that you are my Creator, greater than I, eager for my good life. Let everything that is in the world lift my mind, and my heart, and my life to you so that we may come always to you in truth and in heart.