Hot-dog! Don't you love the energy that flows through the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life"? I watch it every year because I can relate to George Bailey. He has everything he could ever ask for but he can't help but want what he can't have. For George, he wants to get out of Bedford Falls. He doesn't see himself as being successful until that happens; yet there are always obstacles in his way.

I think there's a little bit of George in all of us. We always want what others have and are never satisfied with our own lives; we want bits and pieces of someone else's. We seem to think, "If only I could _______ (you fill in the blank) then I would be happy and successful."

During George's lifetime, he didn't realize how many people were touched by his little acts of love and kindness. Every person was affected in one way or another by George's life. He didn't realize what a successful person he was until he saw life as if he had never existed. So it is with each one of us, we are all connected in a very special and unique way. We don't always know what our purpose is but we know it must be special because we were sent by such a loving God.

In my 51 years I've realized that no matter how much or little I have, my success cannot be measured by anything of this world. Some would say they want to be like Clarence; but even Clarence had his own agenda, he wanted to earn his angel wings. Just like George and Clarence, I want more. I'm guilty of not being satisfied with who I am. I desperately want to be exactly like someone else. "If I could be like Jesus then I would be happy and successful."

Have you every wondered what this world would be like had Jesus not made His miraculous appearance? What if His death were the end of the mission and there wouldn't have been the resurrection? It doesn't take much thinking to realize how our lives would be affected. 

Hot Dog! - It is a...wonderful...life!

Blessings,Brenda Bates