Where the Wild Things Are

(Sometime in October 2009)

A couple weeks after Katelyn's funeral, my sister-in-law Tiffany invited us to go with her family to the new movie  "Where the Wild Things Are" based on the beloved storybook by Maurice Sedack. 

We expected to enjoy the  classic tale of the boy Max who runs away to adventurous new lands with his playful monster friends. But the movie wasn't quite what any of us expected, instead it was rather unhappy.  The boy Max and his monsters were constantly in the middle of conflict.  The monsters were angry and contentious with each other.  They were spiteful, hateful, destructive, and constantly at war with one another.  They blamed each other for their problems, always pointing fingers and never taking any responsibility.  They never could find a resolution or peace because of their pride and selfishness.  Their conflicts just got more and more burdensome as the movie went on. 

At one point my 6 year old Karlee came to sit on my lap.  She was very concerned with why they all were so unhappy.  She finally looked up at me and said, "Mom - they just need Jesus."

She was right.  They needed Jesus.  They needed His love. They needed His healing hand.  They needed His peace,  His gift of forgiveness, and His example of kindness, humility, tolerance, and love.  Without emulating His attributes they would never know how to be happy.  They would only know contention and unrest.

The world is becoming a Godless world. More and more, God is being left out of our schools, our government, and even our homes. The more we turn away from God and His son Jesus Christ, the more conflicted our world becomes.  At times it can be overwhelming.  

But Karlee reminded me of this important truth:  The world needs Jesus.  I need Him.  My family needs Him. Everyday we need Him to help us through our heartaches, our conflicts and our struggles.  Without His Peace our hearts can never be comforted and our little world cannot be happy.  I believe it is true for everyone.

Jesus said, "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  

I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ.  I know it is through Him that my family has found Peace and Joy again.  There is no place too far, too deep, or too dark that His loving arms cannot reach.  He is there to pick us up and pull us to the light.  There is no place that His love cannot reach  - Not even Where the Wild Things Are.