Sounds Like an Opportunity
I have to admit, I’m not one for watching movies when there is always something that needs to be done at home. When I take a break, I am more likely to pick up a book, but occasionally I indulge in a good movie. The “classics” to me, are the ones that I could watch over and over and still laugh, and then there are the movies where the story line sticks with me long after the movie is over. One of those rare ones is Evan Almighty. My favorite kind of movie, meaningful and funny.
So many terrific quotes can be found in that movie from 2007 about building an Ark. Quotes that are timeless in their message. As Morgan Freeman is explaining the story about building an ark and says, “I believe it is a love story about people believing in each other.” I relate that to unity, coming together to lift each other up, coming together to endure struggles, and coming together to celebrate all of the goodness and kindness in our community and in our world.
Morgan Freeman goes on to say “If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?”
This definitely sounds like an opportunity! In our crazy, frustrating, and sometimes uncertain pandemic way of life, we have also found ways to make a difference. Stories have been told about heroes who have courageously stepped in to keep someone safe or made someone feel welcome. Stories about those who have used new technology or creative ways to add joy to bleak situations. The community leaders need to be praised for making heartfelt yet tough decisions and working tirelessly to make things better for our community. Our heroes are also the teachers and staff that are learning to modify teaching styles and continuing to be a ray of sunshine, a ray of hope, for our children who need positivity in their life.
Life is about opportunities. It is up to us to use them for positive change, to encourage others, to make a difference a little at a time. “How do we change the world? One act of random kindness at a time.” ~ Debbie Hawkinson, Executive Director, McPherson Chamber of Commerce