New Life

Perhaps, like me, you saw the trailer for a movie entitled "New Life" in your Facebook newsfeed. Because it starred Erin Bethea you may have paused to watch it since she also played in the Kendrick Brothers well done film, "Fireproof". I must admit I was intrigued from the very beginning. The story line looked solid and thought provoking but I enjoy happy ending movies. If it looks like one or both of the main characters will die I usually don't watch it or recommend it yet this one had me wanting to know more. The main reason I was curious was due to a line from the trailer, "the most important thing to do with life is to live it." I did end up watching it and if you have not seen it and want to avoid a spoiler alert please don't read the following. Erin's character does die and you will be in need of a box of tissues! 
As I watched the film's final twenty minutes I was convinced that my preference for happy endings was still the best way to go. Here this woman dies leaving her husband absolutely heartbroken. Little did I know that the point of the film was just beginning to play out.
To fully understand the ending you should know a little about the beginning. The main characters, Ben and Ava, met at a young age and had a sweet love story as they spent their childhood together. Though they go through the usual ups and downs of a couple they ultimately marry and enjoy several years of wedded bliss. Tragedy would strike in the form of cancer ultimately taking Ava's life. Her death caused Ben to wallow in self pity as he slept on his couch surrounded by empty pizza boxes. A knock sounds on his front door one morning and when he finally decides to answer he finds his elderly neighbor holding a wooden handle to the boat parked outside Ben's house. This boat was the last project he and Ava had been working on together. The previous night he, in anger, had broken the rudder's handle. The neighbor simply stated that he wanted to return it and said he needed to sit in the bench located in Ben's front yard for a moment. Of course he sat outside until Ben came to sit beside him. Gently, after sharing that he too lost his wife, he said that there is still much more time to "make pictures"(if you watch the film you will understand what he meant). 
The next scene shows Ben continuing the refinishing job he and Ava had begun. He is then joined by his neighbor, father, father in law and best friend. The remaining minutes of the film were very moving but you will have to watch it all in order to find out what happens:)
​When the film was over there were a couple of thoughts that came to me. One, how much we need one another. I was deeply moved by the care and compassion that was given to Ben in his time of darkness by those around him. Not only had he lost the love of his life but also his will to live. In that moment people reached out to him in love and kindness, gently reminding him that his life still had a purpose. They came beside him and were willing to walk and encourage him at a time when he desperately needed it. I wonder how often I missed an opportunity to help someone when they needed encouragement as they faced a difficult season. We are to be a reflection of Christ's love to those around us and in fact it is to be the distinguishing feature of our life. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one for another" John 13:35.
The second part that grabbed me was Ben's closing statement. "There are mountain top experiences in our journey through this world, those rare moments when everything seems right and anything is possible. There are those ordinary days when we may not be thrillingly aware of what lies in the future but we know its still out there. There are also those strange times when things do not add up or make sense. When we seem to be forgotten. When the heavens are brass but it's all the moments good and bad that make up a life and the most important thing to do with life is to live it."
In order to have a balanced life I must know both joy and sorrow. I can never truly appreciate joy if I have never known sorrow. Life is a journey, one that can at times be rough but I, as a child of God have the promise that He will walk with me. He promises that all things work together for good for those who love Him. My life is a gift from God, both the good and the bad and the best thing I can do is to live my life.....to the glory of God.