Mrs. Miniver

A few nights ago my wife and I were watching Mrs. Miniver. I commented that the last scene would make great blog material. When I woke up the next morning I found that my wife had transcribed the short sermon from the scene and a copy was on my chair. That’s just the kind of partner I have. I was moved by the sermon because it reflected a nation brought to single purpose in response to an unprovoked attack from an enemy.  I was a bit jealous of folks who found themselves, at least for a time, in a united, single purposed nation even if it took a war to do it.

We are, for all practical purposes, at war now. we are under attack but we stay as divided as the east is from the west. Folks on both the left and right nest in their own worlds where no contrary view or thought is permitted. If you doubt it, spend some time on Facebook, not with your normal “friends” but with some folks from “across the aisle.” It won’t be long before you will realize that  you aren’t in Kansas anymore.

I know we can’t expect to be one, at least not before He returns. There I go alienating those whose knees on’t bend until the end.  It’s just sad.

Read my wife’s work or watch it on video . See if you feel what they must have felt, united against the enemy.

I will read to you from Psalm 91:”  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (KJV)

We in this quiet corner of England have suffered the loss of friends very dear to us, some close to this church: George West, choir boy; James Ballard, station master and bell ringer, and a proud winner, only an hour before his death of the Beldon Cup for his beautiful Miniver rose. And our hearts go out in sympathy to the two families who share the cruel loss of a young girl who was married at this altar only two weeks ago. The homes of many of us have been destroyed, and the lives of young and old have been taken. There is scarcely a household who hasn’t been struck to the heart.

And why? Surely you must have asked yourselves this question. Why, in all conscience should these be the ones to suffer‐children, old people, a young girl at the height of her loveliness? Why these? Are these our soldiers? Are these our fighters? Why should they be sacrificed? I shall tell you why-~because this is not only a war of soldiers in uniform. It is a war of the people, of all the people. And it must be fought not only on the battle field, but in the cities and the villages, and in the factories and on the farms; in the home and in the heart of every man, woman, and child who loves freedom.

Well, we have buried our dead. Do not forget them. Instead,they will inspire us with an unbreakable determination to free ourselves and those who come after us from the tyranny and terror that threatened to strike us down. This is the people’s war. It is our war. We are the fighters. Fight it then! Fight it with all that is in us! And may God defend the right.