For your consideration…
Perhaps many of you are familiar with the Ernest Hemmingway book, For Whom the Bell Tolls. and even the movie based on it. Today all I was given for our message was this title It has been a while since I read the book or saw the movie so I had to do some digging The story is about a character, Robert Jordan, who leaves the United State to enlist and fight in the Spanish Civil War. He ultimately dies a hero. It is how he felt when he died that is key to the story and our message. He died feeling grateful for having lived a full lifetime and for the first time he feels “integrated and harmonious” with the world.
“For whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” comes from the work of John Donne. This phrase is what our message is about today…
“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were;
any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. and therefore
never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
So there it is. Our message today reminds us that we are a piece of mankind. What hurts one hurts all. In turn we can help balance or even tip the scales. We can send our love, HOPE, faith, and joy into the world.
That is the HOPE. And so it is.
Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…
-Affirm…“I am loved.”
-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”
-Drink lots of water.
-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.
-Send love, apply love.
What made me smile yesterday…
-Ah, my housecleaner, my blessing, Kenia, came.
-A beautiful day.
-Catching up with Alex.
-Shannon and Will stopped by for a surprise visit.
-A good book.
Love, Blessings, and Gratitude,
Rev. Chris
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