Greetings From The Circus

My favorite Christmas movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. My family does not “get it”, they have even resorted to hiding my copy from time to time so I won’t give them the poor puppy dog face when they refuse to watch it with me….yet again. They have actually all sat silently letting me fume about not being able to find it. It is sad. I wish they shared my love for George and Mary and Zuzu and Tommy, but they do not.
I understand the movie was a flop at the box office. It was a difficult time in history, maybe it hit too close to home. I imagine many men gave up the opportunity to go to college or see the world to allow their families better lives. George Bailey represents a generation of givers. I guess that is what makes the movie so dear to me. George is not in the world’s standard a wealthy man. Mr. Potter is the successful businessperson. George has to deal with the messiness of a family business, employees who bumble bank deposits (also family), investments that are not exactly solid, but more the shifty ground humanity stands on.
George sees worth in lives. His idea of value is a sound home where a mama, daddy, and children live. His proof of respect is keeping a secret that could ruin a man. His loyalty to his family is his willingness to jump off a bridge to keep them from financial ruin.
What George lacks in business sense he makes up for in brotherly love. The Bible tell us the greatest commandment is “Love God with all your heart’….and Jesus says…”love your neighbor as yourself”. I believe this is the heart of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. You hear in the very beginning all the friends and family praying for George, he is missing now and people are worried. He has no clue they all care enough to pray fervently for him. It is not because George is an important man; it is more because he is a man who loves people. This makes his life so much richer than the wealth Mr. Potter holds.
I think what I really love about the movie is more what George learns about himself. He has not wanted to gain anything by his sacrifices and at times he really wants to just give up and leave it all behind him but he cannot because it is his nature to give, to protect, to shoulder the responsibility. He learns that his life means something to others because he has chosen to love by doing the right thing.
How often do we get the opportunity to choose to do something because it is the right thing?
This past weekend I lost my cell phone. I had not noticed. I came out of a store and a young man and woman were sitting near my parking space in a truck. The man asked if I had lost a cell phone. He explained he nearly ran over it but noticed it just in time. The two of them saw a picture of my grandson on my phone and when we came out recognized me because he was with me! I was so touched. The woman even scrolled through to see if she knew anyone on my contact list…, which she did! She actually tried to call a mutual friend to ask her whose phone she had so she could possibly find me that way.
They could have left the phone in the parking lot. They could have brought it in and let it be someone else’s responsibility. They chose to do the right thing. They waited for me until I came out of the store and handed me my phone. I hope they felt good about themselves as I praised them for their kind deed. There are still George Baileys in this world.
So, during this Christmas season remember to be a giver. It does not have to be wrapped with pretty paper and a bow, kindness and love are one size fits all. And, it really is a wonderful life.