Truly Honoured
A few weeks ago, a person from this community gave me a beautiful medicine bag with 5 beautiful stones. They were given to me quietly after worship, I was incredibly grateful and honoured to receive this gift. I have been wearing it around my neck off and on over the past few weeks, but have kept it close to me even when it wasn’t around my neck. For the first week, I simply held them trusting in the medicine that was offered. Then one morning as I went to put it around my neck a stone slid out onto my desk. I took it into my hand and held it for a long time. It was a beautiful green colour and very smooth with a unique shape. I wondered what it symbolized, but left my spirit to wonder as I returned it to the medicine bag.
Last week another indigenous woman gave me a dreamcatcher which was made by her, which I have placed in the Club room as it was in response to help the church has offered her. Today, I became very curious to know what it all means. Why did I receive these two gifts in the past month? What was the spirit trying to tell me? I wonder if they are teaching me how to walk through the shadows, which is the theme we are exploring in Lent? I did a very quick search to understand what types of rocks were in the medicine bag and what healing qualities they might have. After reading and holding the rocks here is what I think: One rock invites me to face what I would rather keep hidden. One softens me, reminding me to meet even my shadow with compassion. One whispers of growth - that something new can take root even in the dark. And one seems to clear the way, helping me to see what I could not see before. I believe these stones are calling me to be grounded, but not to hide. They instead invite me not to turn away, but to face what is happening in my life with honesty and compassion. I think the dream catcher is inviting me to remember that not everything is meant to be held, some things are meant to be released and some are transformed. I do not claim to be able to interpret indigenous spiritual meaning, but I do want to share the impact that they have had on me on this lenten journey. In receiving them, I feel grounded, protected, and am experiencing healing and peace. What a gift it has been to receive these sacred objects.
At this moment I think these two gifts are telling me that I need to hold what is mine to face and let go of what is not mine to carry. Perhaps this is part of the journey through the shadows…not just seeing what is there, but learning what to keep and what, in grace, to release. I hope that by sharing my experience you too will take time to reflect on what you need to keep and what you need to release. The spirit moves as it will, all we need to do is be open and willing to listen.
Rev. Karen