“Nice girl, Mary…[the] kind who will help you find the answers, George.”
—George’s mother
It’s truly wonderful to be around people who bring the best out in us. Years ago, I remember being a part of an adult Bible Study and we were talking about this very topic. As we concluded, I said, “I love being around people who help me be a genuine daughter of the Most High, but I can still find myself around people who have the ability to pull something very unattractive out of me!” We laughed, because we all knew it was a universal truth for believers. Yet, wow, to be around people who want the best for us, see the best in us, and nudge us in a godly direction is such a gift!
In our lesson, today, from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the character of George’s mother has been hard to pinpoint. She says very little, but we gain the understanding that she knows her sons, George and Harry, and in return they impishly love her. It is not until Harry and Ruth’s wedding celebration, we see how much George is loved by his mother. She sees the best and is willing to lovingly motivate him to go after what he really wants…Mary Hatch.
Because of George’s values, he steps back from pursing Mary due to the understanding that his friend, Sam, is interested in her. Mrs. Bailey cares nothing about that perceived connection, because what she actually sees is Mary’s interest in George. Mothers notice how people treat their kids [even grown ones] and many times can identify motives, intentions, and good outcomes. So, after a brief Bailey mother and son conversation, a seed has been planted that Mary Hatch would be a very good wife for George—someone who would help George better understand his life, who would run with him as a partner in life, and who would bring out the best in him.
Jesus always seeks to bring out the best in us. So being around people who have made Jesus Lord of their lives, will for the most part bring positive words and action to our lives. The more we embrace the character of Jesus, the more we go around planting seeds that help others in our sphere of influence become their best self and most times vice verse.
God created us for the mutuality of trust and wisdom which can be found in godly relationships, because Jesus has been made Wisdom for us. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of the true King. Christ has been born in your life, so take up the charge to grow in him by the grace he provides, live for our King as you seek his righteous kingdom of love, and help others become their best self in God’s hands.
OT Reading: Proverbs 31:10-12 NLT “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life . She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
NT Reading: 1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
Prayer: Lord, you have the perfect reputation of always wanting the best for us as your sons and daughters. Nothing is impossible for you, so you find ways to groom us in your image from within and by placing godly people around us who bring out the best in us. Thank you, Lord, for those people who know us, love us, and motivate us forward to become a masterpiece in the hand of the Master. In Jesus’ name. Amen.