Good morning…
In the healing harmony of the song we posted yesterday, Sanctuary by Carrie Newcomer, I did not understanding one phrase of the lyrics: sprigs of rosemary. Carrie sings: “Will you be my refuge, my haven in the storm, will you keep the embers warm when my fire’s all but gone? Will you remember and bring me sprigs of rosemary, by my sanctuary, ’til I can carry on?”
What does sprigs of rosemary mean? I google the unfamiliar phase and find fascinating facts.
- Rosemary symbolizes friendship and loyalty, cleansing and consecration, peace of mind and purification from spiritual unrest.
- Rosemary’s latin name is derived from “ros” meaning “dew” and “marinus” meaning “sea” or “dew of the sea,” referring to the dew-like look of her pale blue flowers.
- Rosemary, with its spicy, sweet aroma, is a refreshing herb full of rich history. Legend says that a garden growing rosemary protects the family and friends within a home.
- Rosemary can be entwined in a wreath and worn by a bride on her wedding day as a symbol of love and fidelity. In addition, it is a tradition for rosemary to be carried by mourners at a funeral, a symbol of reverent remembrance.
- Rosemary also serves medicinal purposes: it elevates mood and lowers blood pressure, is a strong antiseptic with anti-inflammatory properties, and, when ingested, rosemary decreases depression, nervous exhaustion, headaches, and digestive problems associated with anxiety.
Interesting, right?
Growing rosemary in our garden pots, I regularly cut off a few sprigs to simmer into homemade soup or snip off small pieces to mix into stove popped popcorn. Now consciously aware of her healing gift, I will remember rosemary more often, sticking sprigs into hand-cut flowers to welcome people into our home, tucking a sprig into a handwritten note to silently say to a struggling soul, “God and I will be your sanctuary until you can carry on.”
God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked (Psalm 9:9-10, MSG).
…Sue…
