It's A Wonderful Life!

I love the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I love even the story of how it came to be. It was a low budget, last minute thrown together affair that had no idea it was going to grow up to be one of the world’s best known movies.
It is its simplicity that makes it such a classic. It is also its complexity. It very simply tells the story of a man. But because one person’s story is never just one person’s story but the story of all who cross that person’s path, it is the story of a marriage, a family, a neighborhood. It is the story of a town.
It is chock full of things that are truths. We feel these truths deep in our hearts as we watch George’s life played out. We recognize that there is a loving Father in Heaven who watches out for us. We see that there are both good and evil influences in the world. We see that love in what ever form it takes (romantic, familial, neighborly, etc.) is the key to winning the never ending conflict between those influences.
We learn that all of us are subject to temptations as we struggle with George on that bridge. Often, the strength to overcome is given to us by others whether they be angels, spouses, children, friends or neighbors.
We learn how key forgiveness, gratitude and service to others are to the happy flow of life. We see the positive, giving, caring George win over the grasping, negative, hateful Potter. This victory is clear and complete as we witness the payoff of a life well-lived during that last unforgettable scene. The outpouring of love drowns the evils done that day.
But the most important message is the one we all long to truly know- have I had an impact on the world around me? Do I matter? Have I done any good? Is my life worth something? This movie assures us that “no man is an island”. It is impossible to go through a life not touching anyone else’s. Our choice is whether that touch has helped or hurt.
Most times we won’t even know what our influence has been. Sometimes it’s as simple as a smile, a wave, a kind gesture that we forget almost as soon as we’ve done it. But for the person on the receiving end it could make all the difference.
We live in a world of Potters, trying to make their mark with power and control. Many of us have experienced those moments when we think as George did, “I’m worth more dead than alive!” When we have those worthless moments, let’s remember those seen and unseen who would gather round to lift us up.
Let us also try to be those who will reach out in times of need to lift a fellow human being. We all count!! Our lives matter!! Pull out your copy of “It’s a Wonderful Life” if you don’t believe me. It is not just a Christmas movie!
That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?