I recently completed a run in a musical version of “A Wonderful Life.”
For those who have not seen it, George Bailey gets into major financial trouble and wishes he were never born. His guardian angel, Clarence, grants him the opportunity to see what things would be like if he’d never been born. Without George, the entire town takes a turn for the worse, especially those closest to him: his wife would be an old maid, his children would not exist, his uncle would be the town drunk, and 38 other men would drown during World War II because George’s brother Harry was not there to save them, since George was not there to save Harry from an accidental death as a child. Clarence the angel tells George, “Every man’s life affects many others.”
In what way does your life affect others? Without a guardian angel to show us, we may have trouble knowing the extent of our impact. Consider the ways in which you contribute to the growth and happiness of your friends, family and coworkers. Then, think beyond your closest relationships and consider how your daily decisions affect a wider circle: the driver in the car beside you, the shopper in line behind you, or the person who created the gifts that you buy this holiday season. The holidays are a good time to consider your impact on others and also thank those who have a positive impact on you.
"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet." - Frederick Buechner Questions or comments? Click here.
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