Hope and resilience during difficult times
During this time of social distancing and more time at home, one thing our family has been doing is watching movies. With Disney Plus, it’s easy to gather everyone together and pick something to watch. Recently, we decided to pick an older movie that the kids haven’t seen. I gave them a few choices, and Katelyn, my 8-year-old, excitedly chose “Old Yeller” because she loves dogs. Lauren, my 16-year-old, immediately blurted out “Wait, doesn’t Old Yeller die at the end?” (Such a sweet “big sister” move, huh?) The girls decided they wanted to watch it
A scene at the end of the movie struck me as particularly relevant to our situation. And no, it’s not when they shoot Old Yeller! It’s after that scene when the father returns from his trip and is talking with his son next to Old Yeller’s grave. He says to his son, “Life sometimes can haul off and knock a man flat. Slam him against the ground so hard it seems his insides is busted. But it’s not all like that. A lot of its mighty fine. You can’t afford to waste the good part fretting about the bad. That makes it all bad.”
Watch this scene below. (Bonus points if you can read the Spanish subtitles!)
Psalm 46: 1-2 says that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea”
I know that for many, the spread of the coronavirus and the financial turmoil and uncertainty feel like the “mountains are giving way”. I want to remind all of us that even if the mountains were literally falling into the sea, that God is still our refuge and strength. And he is our ever-present help in this time of trouble that we are facing.
I want to remind you that, no matter your situation, to keep your eyes on Jesus, and choose to live in faith instead of fear. Take Pa’s words to heart: We can’t afford to waste the good part of life fretting about the bad. Take advantage of this extra time you have with your families to celebrate the good parts of life, and thank the Lord for it.
