I really enjoy watching the holiday classic, 'It's A Wonderful Life' (affiliate link). This little film released in 1946 has warmed many a heart each Christmas season. But there is one part of the movie that really resonates most with me. George Bailey, the lead character in the film, is despondent because his business was in dire jeopardy, and was so sad he wished he had never been born.
That is what prompted Clarence (the Angel) to show George what life would have been like for others had George never been born. For example, had George not been born and not pulled his brother from a frozen pond, his brother would not have been around to save countless lives during the war.
Clarence: [explaining] Your brother, Harry Bailey, broke through the ice and was drowned at the age of nine.
George Bailey: That's a lie! Harry Bailey went to war - he got the Congressional Medal of Honor, he saved the lives of every man on that transport.
Clarence: Every man on that transport died! Harry wasn't there to save them, because you weren't there to save Harry
When George finally realizes how different life would be for so many people if he had not been around to share his strength, Clarence says: 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?
There is a chain of events which if broken, disrupts the outcome for countless many. How many of us are holding an idea or our strengths hostage at this very moment because we are fearful, confused or just need some guidance to move it into action? Who in the chain of events, could benefit from your strength if you would just unleash it?
Last week, my family and I had the heartbreaking experience of losing my husbands' sister to cancer. It was late at night and my husband and I were at the hospice when my sister in laws nurse came over to talk with us and what she shared with us was a gift...her gift.
She told us that even though Angie couldn't respond to us, she could still hear us and that now with each of the visitors gone, we should take a moment and whisper in her ear what we want her to know, to tell her that we are going to be ok and that whenever she is ready it's ok for her to let go.
While that was torture to hear, what that nurse gave us and Angie both on Sunday night was a gift...her gift of compassion and experience. What if Janice wasn't there that night? Would Greg and I have realized how soon she would pass? Would we have been able to give her our final message of love?
We are both so grateful that Janice is using her gift at hospice so well. We were blessed by her strength of compassionate prompting. She did not break the chain and in fact, made each of us stronger for it.
What about you?
What strengths do you have that this world needs because there is a distraught family who needs your prompting?
Or a child who needs to read the book you have in your head?
Or the hospital that needs the medicine you have been thinking about?
Or the seniors who need someone to drive them around safely?
Or the church that needs your ministry?
Or the person who needs to hear the song you've been working on?
Or the client that needs your coaching to unleash them to their potential?
Will you enrich their lives through your gift and strength?
We need you.
You need you.
Do yourself and the world a favor...don't break the chain.
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