Writing Stories for Another Time

When was the last time you stopped to smell the flowers?

There are so many good things going on this world, but the bad just covers it up.  And it is sad because if you never take the time to stop and smell the flowers, you may never find your way out.

I just watched someone try to parallel park into a space for about 10 minutes.  Apparently he could not figure it out, but it kept my attention, so I guess, I owe him a thank you.

Everyone loves a good story.  And you can not deny it one bit.  That's why as humans we are constantly reliving our lives through the expression of our stories in past memories.  We love telling them...we love hearing them...overall stories are awesome.  Especially fairy tale stories.  This may just be because of my recent investment in a TV show called "Once Upon A Time", but I am telling you fairy tale stories are somewhat of a lost heart.  We grow up on them, but fail to see the beauty in them past our early years.  Why are fairy tales awesome?  I am glad you asked...

• First off, there is dragons, and ogres and things of that nature.  And who doesn't like a story with dragons.
• Second, I have always wanted to be able to talk to animals.  Snow White had a knack for this and it seemed to work to her advantage.
• Third, swords are cool.
• Fourth, having the Disneyland castle become a reality wouldn't be so bad.  A
• Fifth, no technology of any kind.  What an amazing thing.  Living in a time when it was non existent would be surreal
• Sixth, "true love" has become a lost phrase.  I think many don't really believe in it anymore, nor see the power in it.
• Finally, good always wins.  Its inevitable.  Despite the struggle and temptation good faces throughout the journey, it wont be defeated.

And specifically those last two I find of extreme importance.  

Let's go ahead and start with true love.

True love, the lost idea that there is such a thing.  We have kind of grown accustomed to a culture where love is just an over used word that is thrown around for the use of lies and inconsistencies.  And unfortunately, this has taken a toll on our younger generation and allowed us to believe that true love does not exist and that if it does, it is hand in hand with how successful one is.  What happen to the days when people use to love for the right reasons?

Sacrifice, submission, faithfulness, trust, honesty, happiness.  Those reasons.

And it is sad to say, but you hardly see it anymore.  And I am going to take a wild guess, but maybe, just maybe, those things are non existent anymore.  Take a look at the latest headlines and news broadcasts.  Cheating, beating, abuse, affairs, prenups.  What are we doing to ourselves?  Love is a lost art, and although many say to be in love, you would never know.  Love is not a sound that comes out of the mouth, but an action that is worked by the hands.  It takes effort...it takes work.  But true love is rewarding.

 I am thankful that some one else had enough belief in true love to pursue someone like me.  You rock Mrs. Doyle.

Second point...good always wins.  Love it.  Love the words, love the meaning behind it.  And although this is not a fairy tale, it is a tale that has been extremely impactful on my up bringing...Star Wars.  Star Wars is a classic film that clearly portrays good and evil and how good triumphs.

Luke Skywalker, being the son of "Darth Vador", had an easy outlet into the dark side of the force.  Could of easily jumped to the side of his father, and proceeded on with the imperial take over.  But...as in any good story, he doesn't.  He chooses the difficult path and joined the rebellion, leading him to victory over, you guessed it...evil.

A familiar story in our lives...the life of Jesus Christ.  I am sure everyone has had a glimpse into this story, whether you are believe or not.  See Christ came to be a servant, sacrificing Himself for you and for me, so that evil would not triumph.  And that is exactly what he did.  No matter how He was tempted, how easy it would of been for Him to give up, he chose the difficult path, and came through in victory.  

And my point here is that no matter what evil has over taken your life, no matter what struggle or temptation you have faced, good has overcome that evil.  You no longer are facing it alone.  You are no longer tied up and held prisoner to it's ways.  1 Corinthians 15:55 says,

"Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?"

And what's funny about this last two statements...true love and good always winning...is that they go hand in hand with one another.  Christ's true love for you allowed for good to always win.  True love is something that one will never stop searching, and here we see that God in true love for you and for me never stopped searching.  And despite the evil that we were consuming ourselves with, God never stopped searching.  And good triumphed evil through the sacrifice of true love.

Fairy tales are great.  There is something to be learned from them.  Although simple, and easy to understand, there is a much deeper significance tied in, as long as your willing to search within.

Thank you "Once Upon A Time" for this reminder.

Until Next Time

-JTD-