The film, CHOCOLAT' was filmed in the village of
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain in Burgundy, France and on the
Rue De L'ancienne Poste in Beynac-et-Cazenac on the
Dordogne River in Dordogne, France. The river scenes were filmed at
Fonthill Lake in Wilshire, England!
The beautiful little CHOCOLATERIE became a haven for
healing of all sorts!
Sometimes taking a step outside of our comfort zone
is just what is ordered for those we are yet to meet!
I hope you've enjoyed my journeys this week of love and romance in honor of Valentines Day! Webster's gives the definition of a romantic as someone filled with romance! That is what love should always be about but there is another kind of love that we can celebrate during this week of expressing our love to others.......it is friendship! A friend is someone we know well and enjoy spending time with. In our lives, friends are truly the people who are there for us when the world has been tough on us! The experiences of our lives shape us into who we are as a person. Healthy friendships are gifts in our lives! If you are blessed to enjoy a friendship that gives you love, happiness, trust, and just pure fun....... then indeed you are fortunate. The film, Chocolat is one of my all time favorites! There are a few lines in the story that I think could have been omitted ,but overall the film is excellent. The beauty that unconditional and accepting love brings to a person's life is healing. Also, clearly when one looks at the other side of the coin so to speak....such as when one fails to offer unconditional love in return for what they are expecting, a heart can be broken. A broken heart is a sad place to be.......for anyone. There is truly only one place that any of us can go for a broken heart and that is at the foot of The Cross where Christ fully offers the gift of redeeming love for each person willing to accept His gift of love and healing.
My prayer is that you have been well loved in this special way with unconditional love........
In Luke 10:34-37, Jesus shares beautiful words about a certain Samaritian on a journey, who came upon a man who was stripped, wounded, and had been left alone, half dead. He decided to help without any reservation!!! "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' ............Go and do likewise." I have known a few real people like this........special people!
This kind of loving restorative friendship is rare but it is the kind of friend we all should strive to be. In the film that I've mentioned above, her little shop was a haven for the wounded in spirit. She used the resources that she had, though meager, to accept, love, and repair what had been broken in others. It worked! The entire little village was changed because of her choice to act! Oh, how I pray we can leave our own selves for a short while and act on behalf of those who are hurting. If we could.........the world would be a more loving world! Love someone today without any expectations and trust God's power to change the situation! Better yet.....while there is time, send them a Valentine! Enjoy your day to the fullest!!!!
