Monday, February 14, 2022

Love - 14 February 2022 - Plague Journal Day 704

Micah 6:8
Philippians 4:4-7
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

14 February 1894 marked the birth of funny man Jack Benny. How appropriate that I'm trying to mash two writing prompts together that would have described one of his most famous bits?

Yesterday's freewrite prompt word was Cost and today's freewrite prompt word is Heart.

Perhaps you remember the bit where Benny is accosted by a robber with a gun who demands, "Your money or your life." After a much longer than expected pause, the robber asks, "Well...?" to which Benny replies, "I'm thinking, I'm thinking!" Ah where one's treasure is, there will one's heart be, no?

It also makes me think of that great anthem by Randall Thompson, The Best of Rooms. This choral classic features words from Christs Part (1647) by Robert Herrick. Complete text:"Christ, He requires still, wheresoe'er He comes, To feed, or lodge, to have the best of rooms; Give Him the choice; grant Him the nobler part Of all the house: the best of all's the heart."

How's that for a cost? Give Him your heart. Ah, but what one receives is immeasurably greater. The love of Christ, eternal life, the Peace that passes all understanding. That's worth any cost - and granting the Lord a place in my heart, to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit - well, that's hardly a cost; it's an act of worship that's more a blessing than a cost.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our insane lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

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