I had a tradition I broke several years ago. Every Thanksgiving Day I would watch It’s a Wonderful Life (IWL). I would then find time during the day to watch The Santa Clause (TSC) featuring Tim Allen. I broke that tradition because our local theater began showing IWL on the big screen (and who in their right mind would rather watch a movie on a TV screen as opposed to a big movie screen?). So I eased off that tradition and with no TV or DVD player in my room at the time (Jo was not interested in watching TSC with me), it just dropped off my radar. This year I renewed that tradition. Well, half way. I watched IWL on Thanksgiving Day.
IWL is hands down my favorite Christmas movie. The first time (and probably the second or third time) I watched it I choked up. George Bailey was a local yokel whose dream was to “see the world!” But each time his dream was thwarted by events beyond his control. A father who has a stroke and dies. A brother who leaves for college and comes back married and with a job. One desperate night he had come to the end of his rope (his absent-minded uncle Billy misplaced thousands of dollars. Actually, Mr. Potter had it. Words cannot describe him). George prays, “Dear Father in heaven. I’m not a praying men, but if you’re up there, and you can hear me, show me the way. I’m at the end of my rope.” The situation brought about thoughts of suicide, but thanks to Clarence, the angel who finally got his wings, he saw what life would be like if he had never been born. It was not a pretty site. In the end he realized he really did have a wonderful life.
We live in a broken world. We could say “sinful” instead of broken and that would be true. But broken adequately describes our world. Things are broken. Sinful yes, for sure. But broken pictures someone at their wit’s end. Broken and cracked, but unable to be fixed (or so they think). And that is where the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus comes in at. He, and He alone, is able to fix our brokenness, to make us whole. Perfect? No. But put back together? Yes.
Why not ask God to mend you and make you whole? And then spend time helping others find the ONE who can heal their brokenness. And if you are at the end of your rope, don’t chuck it all. Please seek help.
Only God can mend us and make us whole, Bill, and what an amazing message It’s a Wonderful Life gives to all of us. One of my all-time favorites, too! May all those who are feeling despondent this season get the help that they need. Prayers for them!
Blessings!
Your response is so true Martha. I do pray for the down and depressed and despondent this time of the year.
I honestly don’t think I have seen “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I think I have seen clips. Sounds like I may need a box of tissues based on your description. In regards to the brokenness (sinfulness) in the world… Jesus came to set things straight. There will come a day when we will be perfected… It is hard to imagine what that will even look and feel like. Until that time, we can still live a life of Hope and Peace… It just requires us to abandon the idea that this world can fulfill all of our needs— only God can do that.
I can bring it when I come over this Sunday to see Keegan and Megan if you like!! 🙂 But you are right, it does take us being willing to abandon the idea that the world can satisfy.
We definitely live in a broken, hurt and noisy world, in which to many opinions are loud and wrong. God is the only one that can quiet our minds, restructure our hearts and bring us peace. As disciples of Christ, we need to see the hurt and broken and give them the good news of the Salvation of Christ. Father help us to not overlook those around us that need to know You, that need to be healed by You, help us to be the ones that give them the hope that is found in You alone.
It is the first sentence that strikes gold Gail. “Hurt and noisy…opinions loud and wrong.” we spend too much time listening to those wrong voices. Thanks.