Did you see the movie Heaven Is for Real that came out in 2016? I appreciate movies for the acting and cinematography, the writing, subject matter and how well they are done overall. Let's face it, I admit I love movies.
A plot is usually lower on my list of appreciation. I knew a little of the plot from seeing a trailer. Previously I had only heard of the movie. I saw the title on the streaming and decided it wasn't my kind of movie. I thought it was most likely “too religious” whatever that is.
So, when I saw the trailer I realized it was a quality movie. I have always loved Greg Kinnear's movies. He was a pastor and Dad of a little boy who nearly died and said he had visited Heaven during surgery. Since I also love the strange and weird I thought I'd look it up and watch it.
I started crying about the rime the congregation and community began to spread the word the 4-year old was sick and might not make it. Not because I thought he was going to die. I knew he wouldn't.
When I saw the firefighters take their helmets off and bow their heads I was overwhelmed with emotion.
I immediately thought of my husband calling and requesting every one he knew and didn't know to pray for me when I was deathly ill in 2008 and 2009. I thought that was sweet and kind of him. So were e the people who didn't know me. Some even called me just to chat. That a wonderful hing for me. I'd spent most of my life tying to remain anonymous.
At just that point in this movie I was suddenly stuck by how much people cared about, not necessarily me, but about another person who needed help. How worthy I was for them to care; to pray for me even thought I was a stranger to most of them. I had to cry because I felt how significant it was they considered me worthy of prayer and healing and most likely love just because I was person.
I don't know if prayer works or if I “believe” it's effective. I know a good deal about religion and have a spiritual path. I think prayer can be quite scientific. Minds are connected somehow whether there is a Supreme Being or not. In fact, I think prayer can work even without a Supreme Being.
But that's all intellect, all reason, logic, education and thinking. Feeling's are another matter. Love, for one, is an energy of like-minds connecting in a collective purpose simply for the reason they care.
As Todd (and the actor and the screenwriter) said in Heaven in for Real, “The one thing love requires is to show others they're not alone.”
That's real. Thank you.
