One special way that I ushered in this Christmas and holiday season was by attending a dinner and musical production of “It’s A Wonderful Life” hosted by Family Life Network, a Christian radio station that spans much of New York and Pennsylvania.
They served a delicious buffet which included an apple brie stuffed chicken breast, cinnamon glazed ham, roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli and bacon salad and some decadent desserts which included homemade cranberry cheesecake and flourless chocolate raspberry torte all made by FLN’s Chef Nick and his crew.
The musical was very enjoyable, each cast member fitting their role perfectly, making the script come to life and seem so genuine.
As I was soaking in the musical, there were two messages that really jumped out at me providing me with some thoughts to share.
One part zeroes in on George Bailey when he tells Clarence, the angel, that he wishes he was never born. If you are familiar with the movie, you might recall that the scenes that follow are showing George what life on earth without him might possibly be like. George can see and recognize the people but they cannot see George. Any of the “great” things that George did during his life are suddenly not reflected in the lives of the people.
At one point, Clarence says to George,
“Strange isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
Have you ever considered what other’s lives would be like if YOU had never been born?
Our lives influence so many others each minute of every day. The choices we make each moment have an impact on others. Yes, life is so intertwined and it means our life has such an impact.
Your life is important no matter who you are or what you do!
Do you view your life as such and live like that each moment?
Think for a few minutes what things might have been different if you had not been born…
–Maybe that person you led to Christ would not be living for Him now
–Maybe that person you work with would not have had a chance to experience friendship at work
–Maybe that person wouldn’t be alive today if you didn’t rescue them from the tragic accident
–Maybe that website might not have come into existence without your influence
–Maybe that child in a foreign country wouldn’t have been able to go to school without your assistance
–Maybe that sick person you prayed for would not have improved if the lady you started talking to on the airplane didn’t share the need with you
–Maybe that person who you felt led to pray for, who was going to take their life, would not be alive today.
Photo courtesy of Prab Bhatia under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0); words added by hopetoinspireyou.com
Think about that quote again….
“Strange isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
This Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, doesn’t that quote apply perfectly to Christ in our lives?
Jesus, through coming to earth because of God’s plan, touches so many lives, ideally EVERYBODY’S life—yours, mine, your neighbors, your relatives, all those you know and meet each day.
When people do not know Jesus, there is the awful hole in their hearts that they try to fulfill through other means–wealth, fame, relationships or power to name a few.
Jesus touches our lives and fills that awful hole!
Photo courtesy of Rodger Evans under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0); words added by hopetoinspireyou.com
The second message I took away from the musical was that….
Yes, it really is a wonderful life!!
No matter what your life is like…
No matter what you are going through….
Life is worth living!
We are alive on this earth for now and one day will spend eternity with God our Father.
In the movie, George does not have much money and doesn’t get to realize all his dreams. Eventually he realizes that love, his family and the people in the town which he serves are what is most important and valuable.
George realizes “It’s a Wonderful Life!”
I have a friend who inspires me with her faith and I know despite difficult circumstances she is living “It’s a wonderful life” out daily.
This friend lives with a debilitating, chronic disease. Her mom recently had two major surgeries, and then finds out her dad has cancer. Both the mom and dad ended up in the hospital at the same time, on Thanksgiving Day, no less. Despite all the hardships, this friend continues to share inspiring thoughts showing how her faith is sustaining her.
She is living proof to me that “It’s a Wonderful Life!”
This Christmas and holiday season as we celebrate our dear Savior’s birth…
Keep in mind how your life and actions influence and affect every person you see—
Thank God for the influence that He and Jesus have on your life–for sending Jesus to earth as a babe to fill that awful hole in our hearts–
Remember and live like “It’s a wonderful life!”
From the bottom of my heart to you—
I pray you have a blessed and Merry Christmas celebrating and rejoicing in Jesus’ birth!
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. –Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
Hi Christine
I just read your inspiration and wanted you to know how very much you touched my life this year. Working with you at the retreat house was a great pleasure and joy for me and I thank the Lord for bringing us together in faith! God bless you in this New Year ♥️ Carol S.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Carol! I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet and be blessed by you as well! God is so good and I love to see Him at work in every detail of our lives. 🙂 Thank you for taking time to read and feel free to stop by and read a post anytime! Blessings to you always!