Ruah: Evening Breeze

Ruah, written in Hebrew above, is the Hebrew word translated with three different words: "wind" or "breath" or "spirit".  I use it here, a name for God the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ruah.

Genesis 3:8-10

They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD  God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Gentle Calming Evening Breeze,
rustling among the leaves
as I rest between the trees
in the garden.

You come at the end of the day
blowing the heat away
as the clouds above play
in the sky.

But me, I am naked before God
trying to hide my shame
afraid of getting the rod
playing my foolish game
of hiding my sin.

Yet, you, Ruah, Evening Breeze
find me among the trees
and hear my prayer, "Forgive me please."

You calm my heart;
my sins forgiven and set apart,
and you invite me to join your art --
blowing free, gracefully,
giving others what they need,
mercy and compassion, your seed
to grow a garden of new life.

Gentle Calming Evening Breeze,
rustling among the leaves
as I rest between the trees
in the garden of Eden.

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Sunday, May 15 is Pentecost Sunday, the day the church celebrates the gift of the Spirit to the church. This week's prayers will reflect on the Holy Spirit, God's Ruah.