what kaitlin curtice taught me about honoring our land

May we learn to see and know God in every manifestation, and may Mystery and the discovery of our own soul’s voice become our dearest friends in the search. 

Kaitlin Curtice, Glory Happening

To begin, I cannot fully express everything that I now hold in my heart because of what Kaitlin shared not only during her lessons at the retreat but also in her book Glory Happening and in her very gracious presence with me in conversation. I can only encourage you to read the her work: 

Watch this beautiful video of Kaitlin’s personal invitation into the glory that is happening all around us.

Buy the book Glory Happening. It’s a beautiful devotional or addition to your morning ritual. I have loved it!

Here’s a post from her blog: 25 Books by Indigenous Authors You Should Be Reading

Here’s a website that she shared with us at the retreat that helps us find out about the land that we inhabit. She encouraged us to not only look up the land where we currently live but also that of our childhoods: Native Land—Our Home On Native Land 

Here’s an incredible spiritual prompt she shared with us: She told us to out and find a space to sit down and put your hand on the earth and grieve with her. But before sending us out, she shared this prayer from Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer:

The Honorable Harvest

Know the ways of the ones who take care of you, so that you may take care of them. 

Introduce yourself.

Be accountable as the one who comes asking for life. 

Ask permission before taking. 

Abide by the answer.

Never take the first.

Never take the last.

Take only what you need.

Take only that which is given.

Never take more than half. 

Leave some for others.

Harvest in a way that minimizes harm.

Use it respectfully.

Never wast what you have taken. 

Share.

Give thanks for what you have been given. 

Give a gift in reciprocity for what you have taken.

Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever.

Here’s a passage of scripture to guide those of you who follow Christ and His teachings to help you connect our call to care for the earth with the biblical text:

God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle—and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”

God created human being. God created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. God created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.” Genesis 1:26-28