(It works so much better verbally. Look around, think of a couple you love, make sure no one will overhear and make fun of you, then give voice to it. Isn't that good?)
Now you will feel no rain,For each of you will be shelter to the other.Now you will feel no cold,For each of you will be warmth to the other.Now there is no more loneliness,For each of you will be companion to the other.Now you are two bodies,But there is one life before you.Go now to your dwelling place,To enter into the days of your togetherness.And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
The Indian Wedding Blessing was written for a 1950 western novel Blood Brother, by Elliott Arnold. It became part of the movie adaptation of Broken Arrow. As it took on a life of its own, it became a very religious sounding piece, but not a prayer, only a wish. While it touches the spirit within, it doesn't offer any "other" who might intervene to make the wishes come true.
Is this a good thing? Sure. It touches and lifts and raises hopes and expectations. Does it offer any means for its accomplishment? Not really. So, how does this fit into the scheme of things for a Christian?
When there is a high hope like this, one of the oldest formulas in Christian living, the monastic formula, says: Pray and Work. Pray to God to accomplish the highest hopes of our hearts. Work WITH God to enable the very best that one person can give to another. Neither half is complete without the other; neither actually functions very well without the other. Strong prayer plus high ethics presents fine Christian behavior.
From the poetry of Isaiah and the Psalms, to the Irish blessings, to the sayings of Chief Seattle, to the stirring expressions of some of our finest leaders, the human heart "hopes high" and anticipates lots of good things. We always need to supply the other half: "Lord, lead me to accomplish the highest for me, for my friend, for my family."
And the great thanksgiving? It can happen. Over and over again.
Thank God.
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