I would like to share a message to each of you,
regardless your religious, nonreligious or spiritual belief;
ALL are welcome to gather in community
I also share this message with each of you…
You are beautiful
You are loved
You are worthy
…just the way you are.
Let us all take a moment to breath. Breathe deeply and relax.
Let us pause from our lives and business and routines.
Let us be intentional about listening. Hearing. Sharing.
LET US GATHER:
As I ring the hand chime, may be all be reminded of the universal sound of music and it’s healing abilities in our lives.
We are a land of many notes and many sounds that can help us learn that we can all live in harmony.
Let us take a moment to be thoughtful and mindful of those whom are important in our lives.
Each living creature is beautiful, loved and worthy. Believe, respect and share the value and dignity of each and every human being, including yourself. In this place and this time we are all children of the same universe.
As a candle is lit, may we all be mindful that as we live life;
We build on foundations we did not lay.
We warm ourselves at fires we did not light.
We sit in the shade of trees we did not plant.
We drink from wells we did not dig.
We profit from persons we did not know.
We are all ever bound in one community.
Mother Theresa taught us that love cannot remain by itself, it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action and that action is service. Whatever form we are, able or disabled, rich or poor, it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing; a lifelong sharing of love with others.
Now is a time for each of us to share (as we feel comfortable) in a brief sentence what we are thankful for and/or what we have concerns for.
TIME OF REFLECTION
As we prepare for today’s message, allow us to take time to prepare our mind our body and our spirit.
This is a time for each of us to be silent. Close our eyes, breathe deeply, breathe slowly, recall a time and a place that brings a smile to your face or warmth to your heart, still your thoughts, be at peace with all that is within you and all that may be around you.
Be mindful that today’s gathering maybe about a simple word, something that someone else shared, a note, an image or something of your own realization. There is always something for each of us to have.
Today’s Song “Time in a Bottle”
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to save every day
Till Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you
Today’s message is by Chaplain Royal
A frail old man lived with his son, his daughter-in-law, and his four-year-old grandson. His eyes were blurry, his hands trembled, and his step faltered.
The family would eat together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon, drooping to the floor. When he grasped his glass of milk, it often spilled clumsily at the tablecloth.
With this happening almost every night, the son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about grandfather,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his milk spilling, noisy eating and food on the floor,” the daughter-in-law agreed. So the couple set a small table at the corner.
There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed their dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in wooden bowls. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening, before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly: “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy replied, “Oh, I’m making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
These words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears streamed down their cheeks. Though no words were spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening, the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days, grandfather ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk was spilled or the table cloth was soiled.
60 seconds turns into one minute
60 minutes turns into one hour
24 hours turns into one day
7 days turns into one week
52 weeks turn into one year
75 years could be a lifetime to many.
Today we spend far too much time being busy. Being busy with stuff, things and tasks. Instead, we should spend time with not things, not stuff and not computers. People! Those who matter. Those we love. Speak to them. Hold them. Hug them. Kiss them. Look at them. Be with them. Stuff, things and task will always be there. People won’t.
Let the message soak. Let us observe a period of silence. Think about what you just heard.
What does it mean?
What is the lesson?
How can it affect your life?
Now is a time for us to share, as we feel comfortable, what we took from today’s message…
PREPARATION OF DEPARTURE
What will you give in place of what you take away?
What words can convey it, the joy of this day?
Give thanks for the past, for those who had vision who planed and watered so dreams could come true.
This gift we now bring, this present this token these words can convey it, the joy of this day.
As we strike the chime, let us be reminded of the echo’s of the music and vibrations that surround us.
Living water, flowing air, ancient ground and renewing flame let us offer deep peace of the funning wave to one another.
Deep peace of the flowing air to one another. Deep peace of the quiet earth to one another. Deep peace of the renewing flame to one another.
And deep peace of the infinite starts to one another.
As we extinguish the flame of the lit candle.
May we be mindful of those whom are not here with us and for those who are not walking with us.
May be we reminded that tomorrow is not a day promised to anyone.
May we be mindful that the foundations, fires, wells and profits we will share for ever allow us to be bound together.
Forever Oneness,
who sings to us in silence,
who teaches us through each other.
Guide my steps with strength and wisdom.
May I see the lessons as I walk, honor the Purpose of all things.
Help me touch with respect, always speak from behind my eyes.
Let me observe, not judge.
May I cause no harm, and leave music and beauty after my visit.
When I return to forever may the circle be closed and the spiral be broader
We can be the change we seek in this world, and in ourselves.
One day. One journey. One person, at a time.
May peace, love and compassion be with you-and from you!
Rev. Royal D. Bush is the founder of Inclusive Life, where he serves as a multifaith Chaplain. He shares this message to all: “You are beautiful, you are loved and you are worthy, just the way you are.”
Chaplain Royal is available for Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Grief Support, End of Life Planning, Hospital Visits, Baptisms, Blessings, Dedications, Officiate Weddings, Officiate Funerals, and other Pastoral Care.