Do You See What I See?

 "So good news. I saw a dog today." ~ Buddy the Elf

There are sooooo many great life quotes from Elf.  On the surface it's a goofy, light-hearted, feel good, magical movie.  There's proportional abnormalities in the North Pole, production line fails, and a finale that has evil character reveals, questionable singing talent, and involves some serious chase scenes.  

But it also contains some wonderful moral lessons-victories over the usual malice: greed, dishonesty, anger, arrogance, and desire to squelch the Christmas spirit.  And that's why it was my one movie I showed every year in my math classes - yes, I did watch it 6 times a day for close to 18 years.

I adore Buddy. He always sees the best in everybody he meets & celebrates life:  

• He adores Santa. 
• When confronted by the head elf about his underproduction, he humbly takes ownership.  
• When reprimanded by his boss at Gimbles, he sees that the man just needs some cheer & tries to encourage him. 
• He compliments Jovie for her incredible singing & decorating skills. 
• He just wants to hang out with his biological dad and family. 
• He found simple joy in seeing a dog.
• He celebrates with the coffee shop owners on "the world's best cup of coffee". 
• He told his dad's secretary her face "was so pretty it ought to be on a Christmas card." 
• He befriends people & really listens to their story.
• He believes and lives out that "there's room for everyone on the nice list".
• If somebody is grouchy or sad he recognizes they need a hug.

Who wouldn't want to hang out with him?  He believes in treating "everyday like Christmas". I want to look at people like Buddy does - believing & wanting to see the best in them.  Though not a Christian movie, it puts forth strong biblical themes of how God sees us and if we want to become more like Jesus we should pray to look at people the same way...

    Genesis 16:13  "You are a God of seeing," she said, "Truly here I have seen him who looks after me."

    1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord said to Samuel, "For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward  appearance, but the Lord looks on his heart."

    Psalm 139:14  "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

    Genesis 1:27  "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and     female he created them."

    

    2 Corinthians 5:17 "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old   life is gone, a new life has begun."

photo source

 I have to remind myself to ask God to help me look at people as He sees and values them, allowing them to grow in God's spirit as I would want them to allow me to.  And to build my grateful heart by finding the simple joys each day.

No room for preconceived notions, prejudices or unforgiveness for past wrongs. Just hope in God's merciful, gracious Spirit He has given us. 

He did not, however, tolerate those who "sit on a throne of lies".  Even Buddy recognized that there is evil.  We are fighting a spiritual battle, where we all started on the naughty list.  There is a boundary to set for those who dishonor God repeatedly, and prayer is where we fight that battle, understanding that Jesus died for them too.  Not tackling them in a public place or a snowball fight (click on image below).

Praying for them changes our heart from scattering anger & divisiveness to compassion. 

✙ Dear Lord, thank You for Your never-ending compassionate, forgiving love for each one of us.  You gave Your Son on our behalf.  You are slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness towards all of us.  Help us to be that way to others with our compassion & forgiveness.  Amen.