It's A Wonderful Life is the title of my favorite Christmas movie and one of my all-time favorite films.
Growing up it was a family tradition to watch the Frank Capra film, It's A Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart. (If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it!) Every year, around Christmastime we would gather as a family and watch the film - and the funny thing is, I never grow tired of seeing it because I can relate to it, and I'm pretty sure most anyone can relate to its narrative.
The story goes something like this: small town man marries small town girl. He always dreams of "shaking the dust of this crummy little town" and making it big, but he never does. His friends do, but George Bailey stays in Bedford Falls. He gets married, starts a family, settles down, and takes over his Dad's business. Like many of us he becomes burdened with the responsibilities of life. At some point down the road, after 4 kids and a "dead end job," George Bailey's life doesn't seem worth living. The narrative of the film really puts the viewer in a place to empathize with his plight. It's not until Mr. Bailey is paid a visit by his guardian angel that he realizes he's missing out on what really matters in life. It’s not until he's given an eternal perspective that he is able to see that his life is truly wonderful.
I fee like I’m basically a real-life George Bailey most every day. In fact, while we were in Florida for Christmas, Jahnabell and Dusty came down with a pretty bad bug which they then passed to their cousin, and when our flight landed back in Austin, Sawyer threw up all in Dusty’s lap. Sometime’s it’s just hard to make sense of life. There are good days and there are bad days. If it’s up to me to create a “good life” for myself and my family, then my life would be pretty bleak. And I would eventually break under the burden. Much like George Bailey. He was living a wonderful life, but he did not see it that way. I am thankful, even beyond my own comprehension, that God sent his son to earth to pay the price for my sins and to give every person on earth a true hope. This hope is what helps me see that life is indeed wonderful.
Before the dawn of a new year, let us give thanks and pray that God gives us eyes to see the hope that He has given us. As sons and daughters this hope is an anchor for our soul. It is not futile because it is not built upon what human hands can achieve. This hope is a free gift from the Creator of the universe through his son Jesus.
"And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:23-25
Much love to all! I look forward to new beginnings and new adventures in 2017!
