Tag Archives: Its a Wonderful Life

It’s A Wonderful Time To Give Thanks

It’s A Wonderful Life is one of my favorite Christmas classics. I have to watch it every year around this time. In the movie

Travers in his most memorable role, as Clarenc...

Travers in his most memorable role, as Clarence Odbody in It’s a Wonderful Life (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

George wants to die because he thinks his life isn’t worth living…that it would be better if he had never been born.

There are days like that for all of us, huh? Maybe not to the extent that George felt it, but we all have times where we struggle, and wonder the “why’s” out loud? It’s easy to see the hardness of life, if we don’t make a concentrated effort to see the good.

Clarence, George’s guardian angel, tells him, “You see George, you’ve really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?”

Clarence and George were just characters in a movie, but there is truth in what they say.

Life has its up’s and down’s, that is for sure, I am definitely not here to debate that fact. Regardless, life does give us much to be thankful for.

It has to do with perspective and where we choose to look.
Remind yourself daily of all the things for which you are thankful…….

and then pass the popcorn and hot chocolate, the movie is about to start.

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Today I am thankful for:

* friends of all ages

* going on a Christmas House Tour

* twinkling lights

* spur of the moment “dates” with my husband

* laughing together

* children that make me smile

* children that drive me crazy

* hugs

* kisses on rough, stubbly faces

* asking questions

* friends that know Jesus

* planning a classic movie night with girlfriends

* seeing that there truly can be joy after mourning

* home made fudge

* goofiness

* singing Christmas songs along with Pandora

* the smell of freshly ground coffee

* beautiful Christmas decor

* heavy fog on a warm December morning

* living in “the sticks”

* wide open spaces

* Jesus, my Savior

* knowing that because HE lives, I can face tomorrow






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Thanks, George Bailey!

Iconic screen shot from the movie It's a Wonde...

God speaks in mysterious ways.

Sometimes He speaks to me in ways that are unexpected, other times as a gentle reminder of something I already knew.

I enjoy watching classic movies. I especially like the old black and whites. There is just something about them.

Each Christmas season, I watch movies with my family. While decorating the tree, we always enjoy watching, It’s A Wonderful Life. It has become a family tradition.

This movie hit the big screen in 1946. It wasn’t a smash at the box office, even though actor, Jimmy Stewart, and director, Frank Capra, hailed it as their favorite movie to make. Now, I will be the first to say, It’s A Wonderful Life is a heart warming story, but not biblically accurate. Maybe there is an angel named Clarence, but he didn’t have to earn his wings. Even though scripture reminds us to entertain strangers because they could be angels…

(Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 NIV)

we don’t have to wonder every time we hear a bell ring.

And yet… even though I’ve seen this movie more times than I can count… I was reminded of something this year.

God reminded me that George Bailey was important. That guy knew his fair share of rough patches, and disappointments. God saw him. God sees each of us. I am important to God. He cares about me and better yet, He loves me. Even when life is rough and I feel depressed or anxious about situations, God is there. He never leaves.

George figured out that it is a wonderful life.

This Christmas, while sitting in my living room, I was reminded of it too.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24

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Slow Down and Take a Deep Breath…

Screenshot of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed in ...

Image via Wikipedia

It’s Monday and I already know it will be a very busy Monday. I have much to accomplish today, lots to check off my mental to do list. I can already feel my body tensing, and my mind racing at top speed. How can I be most efficient with my time? How will I get everything completed?

Not enough time! Not enough time!

Slow down. Take a breath.

Say thank you.

Breathe in the joy of the everyday.

Exhale… thanks.

A gift. I need to slow myself…and appreciate, be in awe of the fleeting moments.

I have a sign hanging in my kitchen, a sign my oldest son gave me as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago. I keep the sign up year round.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” , beautifully matted and framed.

Yes, it is the title of a favorite holiday movie…..but, it could… and should be my motto.

Because thankfulness does bring joy–  And joy makes for a wonderful life.

A daily reminder.

* Emerald green, springtime grass

* Wet smell after the rain

* Eggs and toast for breakfast

* Long hugs from my child

* My husband laughing

* A good nights sleep

* Opportunity

* Friendship

* A floor that needs swept

* A bathroom that needs cleaned

* Errands to run

* Candles in the windows

* A full eucharisteo board

* Bare feet on concrete

* The smell of coffee

* Hands and fingers that type without pain

* A smile
I will praise the name of God with song, And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.  Psalm 69:30 

Won’t you take a moment and drop by? Visit with others who are sharing Multitudes On Mondays?


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Classic Films Collection

Cropped screenshot of James Stewart and Margar...

Image via Wikipedia

I watched two classic movies as I wrapped gifts yesterday. I have yet to be able to just sit down and watch a movie without being “productive” with my time.  There is never enough time in a day! The first movie was The Shop Around The Corner. (Margaret Sullivan, Jimmy Stewart). I love the old, black and white movies. I really do. I don’t know if it is the simple scenery, the fact that everyone is dressed so beautifully, or that a movie can be interesting without any offensive language or suggestive situations. Sigh. It was just a different time. The Shop Around The Corner pretty much took place in  the store…so there wasn’t a lot of scenery, but what a great movie! (the movie You’ve Got Mail starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks is a take off of this movie)  Speaking of scenery, I have a keen eye for all the props. The old cash registers, cigarette boxes, ladies’ hats, and how store windows used to be “dressed” for the holidays.

Then I watched Christmas In Connecticut starring Barbara Stanwyck. It is sort of  a comical Good Housekeeping, circa Christmas 1945. Snow, a navy man, sleigh rides, and a farm in Connecticut. Who wouldn’t fall in love?

Today I am working on my laundry. What can I watch in between loads of whites and colors? Maybe It’s A Wonderful Life? (side note: google Jimmy Stewart discussing It’s A Wonderful Life. It was in a 1977 interview. It will give you a new perspective about this movie. Seriously, you should check it out.) Or Miracle On 34th Street–the 1947 version, of course!

Well, I better go. I heard the dryer just buzz. Time for another load.

 

 

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