We are only human

Matt and I saw a wonderful movie last weekend---"What If". I really encourage you to watch it if you haven't seen it. It's only playing in the Madison theatres, but it is definitely worth the drive if you don't live in that area. One of my favorite movies is "The Family Man." This movie reminds me of that, only better, and with a Christian theme. It's fantastic!!!!

To sum it up briefly, it begins with a couple at a train station and the man is about to start school/work in a big city. The woman encourages him not to leave---she is scared that the big city life will change him somehow. He consoles her and tells her that he will not change. (He was planning on going into the ministry at this time.)

Now, fast-forward to 15 years later-----he is a "big city man"----the millionaire type that only cares about money and doesn't care who he hurts or how he makes that money, as long as he continues to climb the ladder to get there. He is engaged to a very materialistic woman. They are getting ready to celebrate their engagement in France; Right before they leave, he decides to buy a $250,000 Mercedes. As he is driving down the road, wind in his hair and enjoying the new ride, the emergency lights all start flashing and the car breaks down on the side of the road. Along comes a tow truck...........he jumps in the car. The driver turns out to be an angel.

Fast-foward again------he then blacks out and when he comes back to consciousness, he is back in the life he would have lived had he made a different choice in life--a choice to stay in the small town, not the big city. He is married to his college sweetheart, the woman from the train station. They have 2 children and he is a minister.

At first, he hates his life. But, over time, he realizes the things that are important--the things that SHOULD have been first in his life.
His priorities switched from what used to be money/career
to God/family.

My, what a difference getting your priorities in check makes :) I won't spoil the rest of the movie, but don't forget the tissue!!!!!!

Along the same lines is the song "Human" This song has really been speaking to me since I first heard it on the radio. It seems to always come on as I'm in the car starting the day for work. It seems to tie into the movie above that I mentioned. I wrote a few lyrics out below and put a few thoughts down that were going through my mind.....things I need to work on and things I need to remember myself.

(pause the music below to listen)


"Every life has a choice: To rise above, to fill the void":

Even though God wants to have a say in our life, we are the ones who sometimes try to control how we occupy our time and how we prioritize our life. We must get ourselves in check, asking ourselves, "God, what do YOU want in my life? How can I serve YOU?" Not, "God what's in it for ME?" Are we listening to what He tells us and then following through, or are we listening, but then making our own decision on how to live our life? It's NOT about us. We must realize this and choose to live a life for God, and try to live like God did, like he wishes for us to live. We must be careful with how we fill that "void" in life----make sure that we don't try to fill it with heavy spending on material things, gossip, and things of this world.
Life shouldn't be about how much money we make and how popular we are,although it's easy to get caught up in this material world today. A simple life is the best life. It should be so easy, but it's easy to get distracted, isn't it? How do you get yourself back into check with reality? A morning prayer seems to clear my mind such as, "God, walk with me today and let me see this world through your eyes."

"We've gotta do better than this, cause we've only got ONE chance, to make a difference."
Once again, we've got ONE chance on this earth-----one chance to make a difference, whether that difference is using you career to witness to others, or raising your children to be God-fearing children that walk with Him daily, etc. It's up to us to use our God-given talents to make a difference, instead of put them to waste. Everyone has talent and gifts from God. God has a plan for us all. Are we using ours to the best of our ability?


"We are marked with His image"
All we have to do is read His word, learn from him, and pray to him to guide us daily and live in our hearts.

"Maybe now we should listen.....hear the cry of God's children"
Make someone's day better. You NEVER know what another human is going through; whether it be the grocery store clerk that is in a horrible mood, or the man behind you honking ...............what kind of day have they had? What is going on in their life? A simple kind word could make all the diffence in the world. Use the second commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Be the change you wish to see in the world, right? Be so caught up in perfecting yourself that you don't see other's imperfections. So tough to do, but we must all strive to do it. I have a hard time with this one. I have to work on not letting my bad mood out on others. Matt is so good about this----even if he isn't having a great day, he doesn't take it out on me. I have to work on this one......maybe it's a woman thing? ;)

One scene that sticks out in the movie is towards the end, when the main male actor (now a minister)in the movie is witnessing to a dying, rich man. The dying man says, "Accepting God seems very complicated, I don't know if I understand. The minister then says, "Simple. It's ALL heart." It ties in to the first commmandment, which is the verse that Matt loves. "Love the Lord with all your HEART and with all your soul and with all your mind." It's that simple. As my mom says, "Do your best and God will do the rest." :)

We can choose--------------we are human, and we can either choose to make a difference and see the blessings in life, or we can choose to see the pessimistic, glass half-empty side..................which will you choose?