I recently saw The Blind Side.  I loved it!  It had truth and family and hope and compassion, love and a happy ending!  I mean, if you’ve seen the movie, didn’t you come out of there saying to yourself, ‘WOW!’?  And, if you’re willing to tell the truth, didn’t you wipe a tear or two while you were there?  When Michael found his mother had moved, or when he asked Mrs. Tuohy why they did what they did, didn’t you cry just a little? 

I saw the movie 3 weeks ago, and I still think about.  Maybe I think about it more because of my job.  I work with individuals that are homeless every day.  I see the needs out there.  I understand that homelessness isn’t a character defect – it’s a situation.  But this morning, I just can’t seem to get the movie off my mind. 

It’s like the Lord is trying to tell me something, something important.   And, while I’m trying to listen, all I seem to hear is that there are lots of Michael Ohers out there.  Oh, they don’t all have the same drive Michael has. They aren’t all homeless because of their parents.  And they’re certainly not all equipped to be professional football players.  But, there are many people living on the fringes, living in their cars, living in a tent, living without running water or electricity that just need a little help to make so much more of their lives. 

And, you may say to yourself, ‘Yeah, but I don’t have the kind of money the Tuohys have’.  But what really made the difference for Michael wasn’t the money.  It was love – selfless love.  It was finding people worthy of trust.  It was having a safe place to call home.  It was mercy and grace.  LOVE. 

So, today, as I think about new beginnings and the New Year, I plan to purposefully look for ways that I can make a difference.  I want to be a life-giver, a carrier of the blessing, a person that loves without restraint.  I want to help a ‘Big Mike’ become a ‘Michael’.  And, if you haven’t seen the movie – go, now.  You’ll be inspired.