REAL

My daughter and I love to watch movies.  We would go to the cinemas more if it wasn't so expensive but whether a Hallmark movie on TV or the latest flick on the big screen, we love to just watch the story unfold.  Being avid readers, my daughter will select books to read and then let me know if I would enjoy the story or not.  If she thinks its a winner, we will read book and wait for a movie to come out.  This week-end, we enjoyed our most recent favorite trilogy on the big screen.  This brings me to the post this morning about being "real."

Stories follow a predictable pattern:  There is an introduction where you meet the characters.  Next you learn that the characters want something- freedom, love, money, power. Finally the character must overcome an obstacle to get what they desire.  Those characters face a conflict and a decision they have to make.  After that there is a solution to the conflict/problem.  In our household, we want love to win.  We want a happily ever after and we get frustrated when that doesn't happen.  I've watched my daughter throw down a book because she became so invested in the story line and when a leading character dies, she is beside herself.  

I say all of this to say, stories are stories and real life is... REAL.  I have to remind myself, and my mini-me, that life isn't happily ever after with true love, sunshine filled spring weddings and perfect harmony.  REAL life is messy- its broken, weak people struggling to make it moment by moment.  Whether we encounter "fairytale" people or "broken people", we don't know their life story so we cannot judge them based on what they see.  

BUT... BUT... BUT... and here is the great part... 

As Christians, there will be a happy ending.  Its a promise from our Savior that one day we will live with him in perfect peace, true harmony... a happy ever after.  I have to remind myself that REAL life here on earth will lead to a REAL life in heaven.  That my friends, is a story worth living.