So lately I love the movie Up and I’m intrigued by the story of the Polar Express, but if there is one movie that currently sums up CHILDLIKE to me, it would have to be Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. Line after line after fresh-breath-to-my-soul line. If you’ve seen it, the scene where they dance on the poppy-plastic, that puts tears in my eyes every single time.
So I could write blog post after blog post about lines from this movie, and maybe I will, but I watched the first half of this movie again tonite, and was taken by the part about the “just man.”
Mahoney, Natalie Portman, says to Jason Bateman’s character, that he is a “just man.” She says this because Jason doesn’t believe the toy store is “magical.” Maybe very very cool, but certainly not magical. Afterall it’s “just” a toy store.
I’ll let you in a on a little secret. For as much as I pour out my soul on my blog, there is a lot I don’t share. A lot of thoughts that rattle around in my brain just aren’t a complete enough thought to share yet, or they seem so crazy and far-fetched I need to figure out if I’m even okay with living them. You are probably much the same way. At least I hope you are. Dreaming things, hoping things, wishing for things so deep down inside you that you wonder sometimes, am I even normal?
I have this feeling (and a secret hope) that this is going to be a crazy year. A year where many of those thoughts are going to start getting fleshed out in my head, poured out into my journal and then tested to see if I actually have the guts to share them, or the even harder part, LIVE THEM.
I believe in magical moments that take my breath away. I believe that they are possible even within our messy lives, hence the name of my blog. A beautiful piece of art can be painted even in the messiest of circumstances. I believe and yet, I’ve met a lot of “just men” in my lifetime of 31 years. In fact, I sometimes think I’m outnumbered. Look around as you’re out among people. I mean really, at face value, are there many people who actually physically look like they have a sparkle, a hint that something greater is trying to get out? I certainly don’t have that appearance half the time, though I long for it.
I have my “just-man” moments too, usually when I have surrounded myself with other “just men.” I’ll go to them and ask advice when I’ve thought it wise to get a taste of reality so I could stop foolishly floating off with my head in the clouds. And then I get depressed. I just want to give up. I feel myself deflate, like a worn out balloon. I think, “It’s too bad. It’s just life afterall. Just boring, mundane, messy life.”
But you want to know what sets me straight every time? It’s when I get a taste of God. When I see the remnants of His paint on some distant escaping sunset. It’s when I cuddle up with my kids by the warm glow of Christmas lights magically lighting up their bunk beds. It’s when I read a sentence in a book or hear a measure of music that is orchestrated in just the right order to wake my heart back up. It’s when I read Galatians and am brought to tears by the lavishness God longs to pour out on us. The big, amazing things he is beckoning us into. There are not enough “just men” in this world to drown out God when He gets a hold of my senses. I am lured, I am stirred, I am wooed, I am invited, I am anticipating, I am alive.
When the “just man” is in your own head or when you have encountered him in your life, run back to God and ask Him for a reminder. Wake me up Papa. Send me music. Send me a story. Send me your words. Send me a friend, a photo, a mountain peak, a child’s laugh. Give me something to remind me this is more than “just” life. This is life, to the fullest.
So back to those secret thoughts rattling around in our head, that are simply too crazy and childlike and big and magical to ever be more than “just thoughts.” Could it be that He has planted them there, hoping we will have enough faith to actually believe and do something with them?
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20-21
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite song right now is Matt Maher’s “Alive Again.” I, too, often wonder “Am I normal?” for all of the things that go on in my thoughts! I’ve struggled to find people who have much depth. It’s seriously so refreshing for me to read your blog! Oh, and my kids loved the bunk bed picture.
They had Christmas lights on their bunk bed, too.
wow! thanks for this. I pull your feed in my reader, but don’t know if I’ve commented before, might be guilty of being a lurker… but I as I sort of set out on a funky transition, I find your words very encouraging. Thanks for sharing your heart. I promise to lurk less and comment more
FYI – I think you look just like Natalie Portman. Everytime I’ve watched that movie I was reminded of you. Her energy and enthusiasm and hunger for life, along with the similar looks, just made me think of you through out the movie. I actually thought you were posting that picture because someone said something similar to you. lol
You are so inspired Mandy! The fact that you continue to seek and let God inspire you on such deep, sincere levels and are so transparent about it, even in the midst of this parenting/ wifing/ homeschooling thing we’ve got going on!! You are an inspiration through and through.
Childlike is such a perfect word for you and your family for this year. I can’t wait to read what comes of it!
Now I MUST watch Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Imporium. Magical movies are my very favorite kind! Have you seen Nanny McPhee? I want my house to look like theirs! (Maybe a little less messy…)
But my all-time favorite magical, adventurous, “fresh-breath-to-my-soul” movie? Peter Pan (the live-action 2003 film, although the Disney movie is also a favorite). I would be careful before watching it with small children, though. Some parts can be a little intense/scary!
Vanessa – Thank you so much for the encouragement and kind words. Nothing brings me more joy than knowing my creativity inspires another life to live out their God-given creativity. Thanks friend!
Katie – I have not seen Nanny McPhee, but I believe Tony watched it with my kids one night. It does look wonderful. I couldn’t find it at the library, but I did reserve the Peter Pan you mentioned. I love Peter Pan, but haven’t seen this one. Thanks!
Mandi – Ha! You made my day.
OH man! Just now reading this post but WOW it has my mind reeling in so many ways! I keep thinking about how many “just-men” there are in the church. Ugh. How many times passion and callings are squelched b/c of these people… these leaders. We’ve come into contact with that a bit recently and it’s hard to swallow! But at least we’re starting to recognize this quality that some have instead of simply listening to their advice. Wow. This may be a whole other blog-post one day!
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