Last night as I was trying to relax it occured to me that I was an adult who has free will. That meant I could go make myself some hot cocoa or ice cream and actively choose to watch a Christmas movie. As a mom with many responsibilities it is often hard to find time for myself. Not because I do not have the time, but simply because I do not make the time. In the past I have let other chores and things to replace my time to relax and just breathe. That is something that I have been working on over these last few years. As I gathered my ice cream, and slipped on my brand new Christmas slippers a sense of excitment began to fill my entire heart. I also had free will to celebrate Christmas a month early! This totally sent my mind into a whirlwind of things I can do, and how much fun it will be to have Christmas a bit longer. With this happy thoughts I snuggled up in my bed and began to search for a movie that would fill my heart up with the same warmth that Christmas always brings. I found The Great American Channel and there was a movie called, "A Second Chance Christmas". This seemed fitting since loving Christmas hasn't always come easy for me. It took a lot of time with God and a lot of healing to truly feel the joy that others felt around Christmas. There was no other movie that made sense, so I pressed the play button and I got cozy. Instantly I was drawn in by Candance Cameron Bure who in this movie is Anna Campbell. She and her ex husband ( James Campbell) were to spend the holidays at their family cabin with their two older children. As the movie continues the viewer starts to see that this couple had a lot of struggles during their marriage. A lack of communication, a lack of attention to the things that matter, and a failure to truly understand one another's feelings. But that is not what caught me off guard. Without giving too much away, there is a scene in the very beginning where Anna Campbell was becoming very overwhelmed with the thought that should would have to be around her ex husband for a few days. The very thought of doing so made her feel like she hadn't changed at all. Her friend comes up to her and holds her shoulders, and tells her to repeat this statement, "I have peace that surpasses all understanding. I have peace that surpasses all understanding." This is is the line that filled up my heart with a glow of love and true feelings of comfort. Unlike other Christmas movies, this one dared to use a bible verse that I happen to hold close. I was almost in tears at the thought of this because as she was telling this to her, I was also repeating this to myself. Some how while I was watching just a simple Christmas movie, I was being comforted by the Holy Spirit. The couple also has another couple who is married who offers them advice and wisdom when they needed to hear the right words. Often times we take advice from people who are not walking the way Christ wants us too, often leading us to stray further away from God's will. But when we find genuine mentors who help with love and understanding, our lives truly an feel less heavy.
Through out the movie there are other moments in which the characters display how hard it is to break old habbits especially in the the heat of an arguement with someone you love. The movie embraces the hard parts of life and the trials that come with being married for a long time. It also embraces grace, forgiveness, and the ability to look at someone you love in a whole new way. Just as Jesus makes us a new creation, once we believe in Him.
After finishing the movie I felt truly relaxed and restored both physically and emotionally. This is how I know I will be watching more movies from this streaming channel. It was very refreshing to watch a movie who spoke of God without an apology. Especailly at a time where I truly needed the reminder myself. That I do have peace that surpasses all understanding through Christ.
A Second Chance Christmas is a five star Christmas movie. And I did not touch my phone once.
I hope you will join me this season as I watch some faith filled Christmas movies and share my thoughts with you in this cozy corner of the internet. If you watch this one, please let me know what you think.
Merry Christmas!
A
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