Your Life Matters

Today I watched the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life”, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.  I must admit, the only reason I watched it was because my Advent devotion book is based on that movie.  After seeing it, I cannot believe it has taken me this long to check it out. 

After about an hour and a quarter, I will admit, I thought it was the longest, slowest-paced movie I had ever come across.  I even took an intermission break to walk over to get carryout dinner from a small local eatery.  The film’s second half, however, had me hooked.  I was ever so thankful I watched it through to the end as there were tears streaming down my cheeks.  What a lovely tale with shades of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” woven throughout.

So, on this first day of Advent, we must all realize, just as the Jimmy Stewart character did eventually, that all our lives do matter.  Every day we affect people and situations just by our presence, by being there at that moment.  Know that the world is immeasurably better just because you are part of it.  May we affect, and infect, all that comes our way with a generous dose of God’s hope, which happens to be the Advent theme this week.   

Psalm 42:5 - “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”