I’m the typical “Hallmark watcher” during this time of year. I love it. Fireplace crackling, hot chocolate (or coffee) in hand, comfy clothes on, hair pulled back, curled up on the couch with Bentley and Chase watching all the things. I love knowing which guy will whisk the girl away, I even make fun of it a little while I’m watching like “ugh this isn’t real life”, and then at some point, tears flood my eyes and I’ll be like “you got me again, Hallmark!” The “good part” comes, and all is right in the movie again. There’s a trust I have with the writers. We almost always know the ending. Somehow, someway, through all the arguments and bake-offs, the highs and lows of their circumstances, we know the love story will prevail.
There’s a “highlight reel” audio on Instagram (maybe tik tok?) that goes “can we skip to the good part”, and people put their favorite videos from the year or trips or experiences to the music at 1 second intervals, showing the audience their “highlights” of that trip/experience/workout, etc. I’ve seen everything from feeding giraffes on a safari, to newborn babies on these reels with this song. And it makes me think about this time of year.
For some, it really is the happiest time of year. Hallmark movies and holiday days off, family trips and light seeing adventures. Lots of colors and ice skating and presents and family time.
And for others, it’s a reminder of what they don’t have. From a significant other to people missing from the table. And it takes the happiest time of year and turns it to be the hardest time of year. And we think “can we skip to the good part”? To the part that’s more like a hallmark movie or highlight reel.
There’s a scripture in the Bible I think about when struggles come. Here’s what it says,
Phillipians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
My mom will remind me “think on these things. Yes that’s going on, but think on THESE things”.
A way to “skip to the good part” is to thank God for what you DO have. To find those blessings within the burdens. A way to look at it from what’s pure and lovely and right. A way to play the “highlight reel” of lives missing and cherish all the good parts. And although life doesn’t always reflect hallmark movies, when we “skip to the good part” and “think on these things”, tears usually flood my eyes and I think “you got me again God”.
If you’re struggling this year, ask God how can we “skip to the good part”? And be reminded that you can trust the “writer”, the author of your story. It says in Luke 10:20 “rejoice…your names are written in Heaven”. Let God be God for you and whisk you away in your own kind of hallmark story. We can trust that His love will always prevail. Look around, this is the good part.