I love Hayley Mills. As a child I wanted nothing more than to be her. No, I didn't want to be LIKE her. I wanted to BE her.
As I have watched this movie in more recent years with my own children, the theme from this movie hits home everytime for me. BE GLAD. The title character moves in with her aunt who is anything but glad. Aunt Polly is, in fact, so grumpy and so powerful that she has made an entire town miserable. Pollyanna moves into town and by using scriptures and references to her missionary father who has since passed away, she uses her joy and it becomes infectious to all she sees. She changes their lives simply by being joyful and letting her actions spring up out of that joy.
Pollyanna's life wasn't always sunshine and daisies. She mentions often never having new clothes, never having a doll of her own, and never having adequate food - yet she was and continued to be glad.
In a conversation with the reverend in town, Pollyanna tells him that there are over 800 scriptures dealing with the subject of gladness. He moves on to announce the following Sunday that he will preach weekly on each of these texts until he has hit them all. Now I know that not every lesson should really be about gladness, but I sometimes wonder if we as American Christians should hear it more often. Many times, it seems, that joyfulness is shown only during the good times - the times in our lives when things are easy. That's not joy - that's being pacified.
True joy in Christ is not affected by our circumstances - our response to our circumstances is affected by our joy- if it's true joy - in Christ. If we find our true joy in Christ alone, we will have that joy no matter what surrounds us - possibly even more in times of trial. As James says in James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. "In the movie, Pollyanna plays "The Glad Game". She finds something good in every situation. Clearly, this annoys the downhearted - at first. But joy is infectious! If joy is seen in everything you do - just like Pollyanna - it will rub off on those around you.
I don't know if it was the winter blues, selfishness or allowing my circumstances to control my joy meter, I have been much more of an Aunt Polly than a Pollyanna. And I intend to change this!
So, for the next week, I'm choosing to play the glad game...
I will be editing this post with a list of as many little things to be glad or joyful about...here goes...
Bailey made it all the way to school and back this morning in her carseat without crying!
Though my house may be messy, I have a sturdy roof over my head.
Aubrey poured the milk straight into her bowl of cereal this morning instead of pouring it in a glass only to then be poured into said bowl of cereal moments later.
Gabby loved her outfit she wore today.
Diet Coke tastes really good.
The sun is shining.
I'm not pregnant. I love my children more than words can say, but I'm glad pregnancy is over for my lifetime! :-)
I have a great husband who works so hard inside and outside the home. He is an incredible family man.
The snow has completely melted in front of our house.
I hear a bird chirping.
Time spent alone is simply more time to spend with God.
We will get new bodies in heaven.
The huge coffee stain came out of the carpet this morning - and will hopefully also come out of Bailey's pajamas, my tank top, my pants and the diaper rag.
My Jesus loves me. And I know it.
Crockpots were invented
No matter what happens in life, my parents will always stay by my side with wisdom and love.
I enjoyed the popcorn that provided the piece that is stuck in between my teeth.
Music makes me feel good.
We use disposable diapers now instead cloth ones like in the “old” days…
Diet Coke tastes good.
TobyMac…’nuff said
Bailey likes her bouncy seat
Tutu fabric came in the mail on time
The innocence of children
Aubrey had a great day at school
The girls play together so well
Clouds and rain make for good reading weather
Small Group with the high schoolers on Wednesdays
Waking up earlier means coffee earlier
Having three girls means that I am NEVER bored….ever
Having to sort through clothes for spring means that we are blessed to have enough clothing to use some for only certain seasons of the year – something many in the world could never fathom
Dirty dishes in the sink means that not only do we have enough food to eat, but more than enough dishes upon which to eat
Sunshine!!!!!!!!!
Open windows make spring cleaning much more enjoyable!
Grace from My God is not based on my performance- but solely on my belief in and surrender to Jesus as my Lord and Savior
Bailey is getting bigger - and interacting with the older girls more everyday and it's so fun to watch
Friday Night Jive is tonight!
Getting up early means quiet in the morning.
Rain brings flowers
It's only 3 weeks until we leave for vacation...
Things of this world that are no so great will simply make heaven seem all the more wonderful
The shape of my nose reminds me of my grandmother
The shape of my butt reminds me of my grandmother
We will have new bodies in heaven!!!
Feeling all alone teaches me to fully rely on God as my sufficiency.
Playing cards with the family is fun!
Vacation is less than three weeks away,
Spring brings new life...and new energy.
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