By: Joseph J. Mazzella
I just finished watching my copy of the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” for what seems like the six thousandth time now. It is one of those movies that never gets old. I don’t just watch it at Christmastime either. I have been known to pull it out and watch it in the middle of January, on the first day of spring, and in the midst of a summer heat wave. Anytime my spirits and self-worth feel down all I have to do is watch this movie to set them soaring again.
It is the story of a good man named George Bailey driven to the edge of despair and thinking of ending his own life on Christmas when an angel appears to show him just how many lives he had touched and people he had helped here. The angel shows George what life would have been like if he had never been born and George sees that it is a bleaker, nastier, and sadder world without him. In the end you want to stand up and cheer along as an uplifted George runs through his hometown wishing everyone a merry Christmas and rejoicing in his second chance at life.
Every time I watch this film I never fail to see just how important each life is here in this world. We all may be only a single thread in a tapestry wove by God’s master hand, but if we were to pull that thread out what a gaping hole it would leave.
As you go through your life today remember just how important you are. Every kind act you do is precious. Every bit of love you share is priceless. Every day you touch others in countless ways that you cannot even begin to understand. We are all Children of God given a special purpose and mission in this life. We are all loved by our Heavenly Father. We are all called to love each other as well. Embrace your wonderful life then. Share your wonderful love. And make this world more wonderful each and every day you are in it.