As we settle into the new “normal”, Father, I would ask for our protection as we drive and as we interact with families that we all would be shielded from the virus that is running amuck among us. May we be beacons of hope and encouragement to those around us. Amen.

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At the encouragement of a friend, Karen and I watched the movie The Greatest Showman on TV last night. It is loosely based on the life of (Phineas) P. T. Barnum, famed founder of Barnum and Baily Circus. It was filled with soaring ballads, wonderful choreography, and it was definitely entertaining.

This is not a review and I am not even encouraging you to watch it, though I did enjoy it, but I wanted to say something about…love.

I missed the beginning but watched it to the end and with another showing immediately after the first ended, I watched a portion of the beginning, too.

As I did so, I was touched by the relationship between Phineas and Charity, the woman he eventually married. Although they were from opposite ends of society – he with little, she with anything she wanted – a connection blossomed between them. She is sent to finishing school and though they are apart, their relationship thrives.

They are inseparable, though Phineas strives for more, Charity is obviously content with him, regardless of more or less. He loves her dearly as well but is driven to make something of himself, to provide for her – proving to her father that he can do so.

As the movie progresses Phineas becomes enchanted with a famed Swedish opera singer. Always looking to move onward and upward, he convinces her to travel in America under his leadership. She does and they depart on a whirlwind tour across the country.

As they journey together, she begins to fall in love with him but, although he remains enchanted by her, the feeling is not mutual. Their relationship dissolves when at the end of her final performance she kisses him firmly on the lips. He realizes the fool he has been and even though there was no impropriety on his part, he makes a hasty departure home to a disenchanted Charity.

OK, here is what impacted me as I watched the beginning after I had seen the end. Eventually, Phineas and Charity reconciled and he, realizing the err of his pursuits for fame and fortune, devotes himself to his loving wife and two daughters. At that point, with all he had been through, he grasped the importance of what he had and let go of what he thought he needed. By far the former was so much more valuable than the latter.

In our lives, how many times do we push ourselves to obtain what we think will bring us happiness, forfeiting that which grants us the most fulfillment of all? How many of us have those in life that love us just the way we are, but we are not content? We may have good (or bad) intentions but we are determined to find that which will truly meet our expectations of satisfaction.

The grass is never truly greener on the other side of the fence. God’s hand has placed us where we are. We mustn’t let the real source of contentment and happiness slip through our grasp as we reach for things that will pass through our hands like grains of sand blowing in the wind.

And, honestly, the same is true in our relationship with Jesus. We are so enchanted by the offerings of the world that we forfeit the blessing of His presence which is right before us. And if anyone loves us just the way we are…it is He.

Jesus proclaims in Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT),

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Lord Jesus, may we treasure the gifts with which we have been blessed. And most of all may we find our greatest fulfillment in You. Amen.