One of my all time favorite movies is It’s a Wonderful Life….the one that is black and white! There is something about once seeing a movie in black and white, where you have already imagined what color everything is, and when they put color to it, then it’s disappointing, right? Just like when you listen to audio dramas or books and then see the show or movie, it is not the same!

I was thinking last night how we could pull some lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life. There are times when I am talking to someone that comes to ask me questions about God or wanting to share hard things with me. This person is sometimes in another state; sometimes another country. What I notice, especially around the holidays, is that some people wonder why they were even born because they feel so lost and not doing anything to make a difference except just trying to get through the next mundane day. This is not a way to live! You have purpose! I have purpose! We all have purpose!

After I listen to them, I ask them if we can start at the beginning, the foundations of our life, our Creator, and share the Truth of the Gospel so that we can be on the same page. Whether or not they agree with me, they are willing to listen as I listened to them. I have talked with people from all walks of life, religions, and for the most part, the people that I talk to, there is mutual respect in being able to share where we each come from.

It breaks my heart when I talk to someone who feels hopeless, as I have been there before, when you wonder if you are even making a difference to the people whom God places in your life. Sometimes it is way too easy to want to try to control decisions people make as you know it will lead them down a path of misery but sometimes you just need to let them journey down their own trips and stumbles of life where hopefully they get to a point where they realize you did have their best interests at heart and they have seen life in a different way to make them stop and think. I think it is important to note that if we felt such confidence that we were always doing the right thing, we wouldn’t feel the need for Jesus do life with us.

Most people I get to talk to have one thing in common: problems with relationships, every single relationship you can think of. The times of life are coming with more and more severed relationships. It seems Covid hit and it divided families who didn’t see eye to eye. I know of people who threatened that grandparents couldn’t see their grandchildren until they got the shot. Same with politics. Some people believe if you don’t take their view, then you can’t be friends. That is such grade school talk. We tend to treat strangers better than people we live with. We take each other so much for granted and don’t think before we speak…often.

I’ve been able to tell moms and dads that they did the best they could and now they just need to let go and let God handle their children. I have been able to talk to the child who is against their parent or parents and can talk through their anger with them. At the end, they realize their parents did the best they could with what knowledge they had. Sometimes people just need someone who is on the outside looking in, not taking sides. When the conversation is over, all are more understanding as I have been able to share a little from my own experiences. We will never know the impact we made, even in a simple conversation, until heaven.

In It’s a Wonderful Life, there are things that are out of George’s control but because he felt such responsibility for anything that went wrong, he put a very heavy burden on his shoulders which put him in a state of feeling out of control and his mind racing only causing more anxiety for himself. The more anxiety, the more breathing fast and heart rate speeds up, and then he becomes lightheaded, not being able to think straight anymore so he takes his frustration out on those he loves the most. He was then in a hopeless state of mind thinking everyone would be better off without him, that if he had never been born, none of this would’ve happened.

Thankfully, George is visited by his guardian angel, Clarence, before he’s about to commit suicide, who gets to actually show him what life would be like without him. It was quite an eye opener for him to slowly realize he really did make a difference all throughout his life. When life is hard it can be difficult to see how God may be working in and through you, but He is.

Imagine going back through your life and visualize yourself not there. What would things look like? What would be different? Did you make someone laugh? Did you lend a hand to someone? Did you donate blood? Did you do random acts of kindness? Is there something you were there for that if you hadn’t been, things would’ve really changed for the negative instead of the positive. Because George was born, he stopped the pharmacist from poisoning a child, he helped save his brother from drowning in the pond, and he helped many people get loans that normally wouldn’t have been able to.

I remind people, and you, that when we see our life from God’s perspective, we can really see that He made us all for a good plan and purpose. You matter! Your life holds significance! Your absence would create an irreplaceable void.
“Each man’s life touching so many other lives; when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole”

George’s community came together for him as he had made such a difference in so many of those lives. No one knew what struggles he was dealing with, he never talked about it but just swept things under the rug, thinking only he could take care of it. From this, we can learn that when we need help, we need to seek help and also let you know who you can trust and love you most. Remember our lives are intricately interconnected, allowing us to support one another through times of hardship.

We just celebrated the one holiday that encourages us all to be thankful, yet are we really truly thankful or do we just say we are? We need to ask ourselves, “am I content?” I wonder how many people are not, because the very next day, coined Black Friday, encourages people to be selfish, running out to the stores because they need more and more and they want it right now, and it must be the best. Side note: there’s only one Black Friday in my book, also known as Good Friday. We can learn from George in cultivating gratitude by recognizing and appreciating the simple blessings and individuals God has placed in your life, rather than fixating on who or what you think you may be missing out on.

Your worth isn’t tied to your wallet yet so many believe that is true! I remember working with someone who had a place for her belongings but she had to have this huge purse sitting out like a decoration for all to see. It was so strange to me, and I asked her why she didn’t keep it with her belongings and she said, “it’s a Michael Kors!” I just stared at her blankly. Nope, I have never heard of that brand name purse. Then she said, “I want everyone to see it”! Then she told me the price of it, and I just couldn’t believe it because I wouldn’t have spent but maybe $10 on it, if that. I was so embarrassed for her because it was so silly seeing her reposition it so she and others could admire it. I just rolled my eyes and thought, “wow!” Quit trying to keep up with the Jones’ because we honestly shouldn’t care what they have but I do know when I was younger there were things I wish I had and thought people had things better than me….better families, better homes, better skills, etc.
“All you can take with you is that which you have given away”

George was getting hung up on the drafty broken down home when he was full of anxiety as he could only focus on what he didn’t have but he remember what he truly had was the people right in front of him. Discover the treasures of life right in your own backyard. Contentment often springs up from appreciating the gems in your today, not looking in the rearview mirror or chasing after some glittery mirage down the road.

Remember that what you do on earth for Christ will make an eternal difference. Making money, getting the next best car or house, will all be burnt up. You can’t take it with you. Sadly those who portray their moments of happiness all over social media, taking selfies, and looking like they have it all together, they don’t. They really don’t. It seems like this day and age, especially with the younger generations who try so hard to make their life on the screen seem amazing, where they have hundreds of “friends”, when in reality, the harder their life, the more the exaggeration of how good life really is and all those friends are fake. And sadly, most people can tell when it’s over the top. These people who desire more to life are simply posting for the next “like” or for the next comment so they can feel validated or give a false sense of true peace. What an awful, miserable way to live.

I am so thankful not to have social media. I use to, and it was a big time suck. I wish I would’ve never had it. I don’t even know who has time for that but I don’t need to compare my life that God has given to me for a good purpose to someone else’s good purpose. I don’t need to see people tear each other down over difference of opinions. I have seen and heard how much anxiety it causes. No thank you! This life is too short for all of that drama.

A life characterized by honor, integrity, and a commitment to helping others—much like how George ran the Building & Loan—truly generates a meaningful life of value. When we take our eyes of our ourselves and our problems as well as the pride in us that only wants more and more, never being satisfied, we will be happier than we have ever been when we serve others. Do you want to be remembered for being generous or selfish?

Realize the influence you have in other’s lives. When I talk to people who are down, by the end of the conversation the majority have a different outlook on life and thank me for caring to listen. There are times I think it was no big deal but you know what? When I do this, I feel so blessed. “Blessed to be a blessing”. Even seemingly minor actions, such as saving a child or providing a loan as George did, can lead to significant and unexpected consequences, good or bad.

So think about what you do throughout your days that may seem insignificant. Could it be getting groceries for someone or sending someone a note to let them know you’re thinking of them or even just commenting to the person working at the store about what a good job they are doing or saying something to encourage them. Use their name, too, if they have a name tag. One of my blessings knows how to do this so well and makes so many people’s days. She realizes she makes a difference and lifts people’s spirits. When their mind could’ve been in a dark place, she brought the Light to them. She’s such a good example to me and definitely gets me out of my comfort zone.

You need perseverance because when you’re down in the dumps, you must remember that God’s got your back and change is just around the corner! You just need to put on different lenses and adjust your attitude.

It is okay to tell God how you feel. He already knows how you feel, so you might as well talk to Him out loud about it. We should not only thank God for the many blessings in our life but also acknowledge the hard that is for our good. God will never waste a hurt. Knowing who God really is can truly remind us that we have everything we need.

A prayer to remind us that we do have a wonderful life:
Dear Lord Heavenly Father,
A joyful shout-out for this wild ride called life! Sure, it’s not always rainbows and lollipops, but I know You’ve got a plan for every bump in the road. Taking in everything around me, I’m blown away by the avalanche of blessings You’ve showered on me, leaving my heart fuller than a stuffed turkey on Thanksgiving! Help me see through Your eyes the purpose and plan You’ve woven into my life. When it’s time to swap this earthly body for the eternal one, may it be evident that I poured my heart and soul into others, valuing all to have eternal life with our Lord and Savior, over shiny but fleeting treasures. Let my life scream my love for You, louder than a rock concert in full swing. Amen!

Blessings,
Jennifer