Glimmers
March 23, 2011
Among the many positives of having children, and now grandchildren, in my life is that I can watch children’s movies and not have to explain myself. My favorites from when my girls were small are The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. In both, the animation was fantastic, the stories were engaging and the music was clever. If you ever saw The Little Mermaid, you can probably still hum the tune of “Under the Sea.” Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson’s version of the theme song from Beauty and the Beast was so good it was on the pop charts for weeks after the movie debuted. I probably would have never seen either of those if it hadn’t been for the three sweet little girls in my life.
I remember seeing a big poster display in the mall sometime this past Christmas season for the movie Despicable Me. I had no idea what it was about and really had no desire to see it. My grandson asked me if I had seen it. When I said no, he said, “You really need to see it.” I followed his advice and rented it a short while later. I’m glad I did. The lead character is a “criminal mastermind.” He is selfish and self-absorbed. He brings three little orphan girls into his life so that he can use their irresistible charms to further his schemes. He quickly learned, as I did, to never underestimate the power of three little girls to change your life. By the end of the movie he is a different person, totally smitten by their love and more lovable as a result. Forced to attend to their needs, he finds that being selfish and self-absorbed ain’t all its cracked up to be.
Someone once asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment. “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, mind, and strength,” he replied. “And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.” The exchange is followed by the story of the Good Samaritan who unselfishly assists a perfect stranger who had been robbed and left for dead. Helping someone just because they are a “some-one” and not a “some-thing” is the point of the message.
Like the evil mastermind, I fall into “despicable me-ism” on occasion. I can lapse into selfishness as easily as anyone else. Then I meet a “some-one” left for dead beside the road and I remember why I am here.
Blessings to you all,
Jerald
