It's a Wonderful Life

"No man is a failure who has friends." That's one of the closing lines of my favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life. I watched that tonight with my family at the movie group my parents help lead at my church. In our discussion afterward, I was thinking a lot about the themes of relationships, community, and legacy.

George Bailey got the chance to see what life would have been like if he wasn't around. Naturally in watching the movie, you begin to think, geez, I wonder what that would be like for me? Whose lives have I touched? This made me remember back to the Night of Worship waaay earlier in fall quarter, which was in remembrance of Joe Snell. I didn't know Joe Snell; he was before my time at SPU. But getting to hear people share stories about the impact he had on their lives was really meaningful, and it made me think a lot about the meaning of legacy. What kind of impact do I want to leave? I want to be known as a friend who cares, who values relationships more than money or possessions, who is filled with Christ's love and spreads it to others.

I think this is why I am so drawn to working in relational ministry. To touch someone's life and change it for the better is worth so much more to me than a big salary. The end of It's a Wonderful Life really illustrates this: George Bailey's friends, those whose lives he has impacted, come together and bless him in his time of need. He passed up the big salary, the dream job, the chance to get away. And in the end, thanks in part to him, there was a solid community who rose up and embraced him. I want to live in (and even help shape?) a community like this. That's why I love that I've had the chance to work in Res Life this year.

And another thing: I'm so grateful for my family and friends. Just as I hope to impact others, I know that they have touched my life and changed me. So thank you, dear friends. May you be blessed as you have blessed me.