There but for the grace of God…

Before leaving my warm bed this morning, I turned up my thermostat, turned on my coffee pot and turned on soft music throughout the house.  All of this, thanks to my smartphone and smart home.  

I go downstairs in warmth, lured by the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and enjoying soft music.  

I do so everyday on my way to my reading chair and the fireplace. 

Doing so has been bittersweet for the past few weeks.  

I wake up safe with relative certainty that no bombs will fall on my house.

I can shop knowing that I will find food and drink.  

I can walk my dog knowing that we can safely walk down the street.  

I can sit at my desk typing this knowing that my Internet connection is stable and secure. 

I live in relative certainty and safety each day.

People in war-torn countries do not have this luxury.    

Yet, they are more than “people” in far-away lands.  

They are my brothers, sisters, children, parents, indeed my family.

John Donne said it better than I can.

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.      ~John Donne

There but for the grace of God go I.

Praying for refuge and peace for all people.