A REEL to REAL Look at Sia’s Snowman -Seeing Jesus in the Arts

Snow is on my mind. After glorious sunshine and temperatures in the 60s yesterday, we woke up to 7 inches of God’s magical white fluff … even though the daffodils are blooming. So, I thought it would be cool to take a REEL to REAL look at Sia’s Snowman video.

I came across this sweet, catchy tune in December after my husband found the Christmas station on Sirius in our car.

Immediately, this little melody got stuck in my head. I found myself playing it several times throughout the holidays, and then I watched the YouTube video.

Y’all, this story is seriously precious and made me love the song even more.

I wasn’t familiar with the Australian artist, Sia, but her raspy tone and fast vibrato highlight a controlled technique referred to as glottal stops.

These vocal gymnastics happen because of the way she pronounces vowel sounds while controlling her air. It’s a difficult, complex technique to accomplish, and I love everything about her voice. Her style is uniquely identifiable, like Elvis or Johnny Cash.

This unique Claymation masterpiece portrays a love story between Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, but the little girl becomes the story’s hero.

The video begins as a childlike version of Sia builds Mr. and Mrs. Snowman. She places their stick hands together, and they come alive. They affectionately gaze at each other while twirling and dancing. In essence, the little girl creates a love story within her snowy creativity.

The lyrics are written as a love song from Mrs. Snowman to her Mister. As the sun brings signs of Spring, the snow couple becomes troubled as they start melting. Nevertheless, Mrs. Snow pledges her faithfulness to her snowman and suggests they hide from the sun.

Sia becomes concerned with the melting snow too, and takes it upon herself to help Mr. and Mrs. Snowman.

With the aid of her adorable, hairy sidekick, Sia loads a cooler with ice in her trusty red wagon. She then shows a map of the North Pole to Mr. and Mrs. Snowman and places them inside the cooler.

They’ve melted significantly, and if ever snowmen showed fear, it is evident that Mr. and Mrs. Snowman are anxious.

So, let’s watch the video, and then we’ll talk more.

Is that sweet or what?

I’ve thought about this little story so many times since first watching the video. Besides being a hauntingly, beautiful melody, there is so much goodness in this imaginative work of art.

Helping someone in need can make a big difference. For Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, it saved their lives.

It took great effort for the little girl and her pup to find the North Pole, yet they pressed on.

Her toil exhibits all the fruits of the Spirit.

 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 AMP

Sometimes circumstances or people in our lives will test our willingness to share some of our fruit. Yet … Paul said that only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we as believers live out these fruits, successfully denying our fleshly selves.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Paul listed love first. Honestly, I don’t think we can operate in the rest of these fruits unless we love and care about people.

I remember when God challenged me to consider if I truly loved my fellow man? So, I started praying that He would help me genuinely love people. I realized I would never have a burden for their soul if I didn’t love them.

Love isn’t necessarily about words, is it? 

Love is all about action.

The actions we take such as concern for another’s well-being or practicing peace in less than peaceful situations. Showing patience in our behavior by being kind or being good to others just because we can -even when it doesn’t feel good. Exercising self-control, gentleness, and persistent faithfulness that promotes endurance in hard times.

You see, all the fruits of the Spirit lived out together, or even one by one, can make a big difference in a broken or lonely heart.

Patience can calm anger and soothe grief.

Kindness can encourage, and goodness can cultivate hope and joy.

Gentleness can promote healing, and self-control can produce faithfulness.

It’s a never-ending, perpetually evolving love that shows up over and over in countless ways when someone needs us the most.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 16:14 …

Let everything you do be done in love” [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].

That’s the bottom line, folks; God’s love for us should motivate us to love without boundaries. After all, He put action behind His love when He sent Jesus to die a cruel death for our sin.

Will it be easy? Probably not; we’re not all easy to love, are we?

But Jesus told us why we needed to love each other in the book of John.

“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” John 13:34-35 AMP

“Everyone will know that you are My disciples if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

Our love for each other, or the lack of … will identify to the world who we are or are not, right?

The ending of this video finds Mr. and Mrs. Snowman safe. They’ve made it to the North Pole or perhaps their heaven or eternity … all because of a little girl who created and loved them well.

This sweet story reminds me of another love story created within our world’s divine foundation … the greatest story ever told.

So, let’s go love well … there are lives to be saved.

Love you, and I mean it!

Mel

Important Disclaimer!!! I do not own or claim any rights to Sia’s Snowman video directed by the immensely talented Lior Molcho. I’m just a massive fan of this beautiful song and carefully crafted video. Well done, Sia! I’m your newest fan! Be sure to add this sweet tune to your Christmas/winter playlist – I guarantee it will make you smile every time you hear it!

The Sum of our Hurts #Relationships

photo-1459179214099-4bb3cc48e6c3

Relationships have a way of packing on the hurts. They add up with each offense, snub, direct or indirect injury, and pretty soon we find ourselves hiding in retreat.

Walls go up and we keep a safe distance. Then as time passes the enemy comes around to taunt with memories and regrets.

Pulling further away is the reaction the Devil is going for. He wants to keep us isolated for obvious reasons.

I’ve been so guilty of letting hurt feelings dictate my waning desire for friends. I’ve declared at times that I don’t need friends … but the truth of the matter is … God wants us to have friends.

Over time the guilt builds that I could have done more or I should have done this or that. But in truth … I know there have been times I have loved well.

It’s a vicious cycle that the enemy wants us to wrestle with. He wants us to walk away and give up.

He uses our imperfections to overwhelm us but kicks our victories to the curb.

These emotions can prick the heart and bleed for days.

At some point we have a choice to make. We can pull away even further or we can dig our heels in and refuse to lose any more ground in this relationship merry go round.

The Devil wants us to hop off at every turn, every slight, every instance someone withholds good from us … but the Lord wants us to hold on for love’s sake … even when the turning is infuriating, exhausting or disappointing.

The beauty of real love is endurance … an endurance that exudes a beautiful fragrance of acceptance no matter what happens.

We’re not always going to be treated right … we’re not always going to be loved … we’re not always going to give love with excellence … but the important thing is … we can’t stop loving.

The sum of our hurts should be viewed as a beautiful tapestry that gets more colorful and rich with every stitch.

It’s not a perfect tapestry that would win awards or bring a great price … but it’s one that will warm the soul … and bring a smile that proves it worth.

Relationships are a big barrel of emotions. Sometimes the good ones rise to the top and sometimes they don’t … but we decide which emotions fill the brim.

And we must never forget … nobody is perfect, nobody has it all together, and nobody can be everything to everyone.

We are flawed beyond flaws.

The Amish people are beautiful artisans. Every exquisite piece of art they carefully make is always given one simple and often unnoticeable flaw … they do this on purpose. It’s to be a reminder that no matter how beautiful a piece can turn out … there is only one who is perfect … and that is our heavenly Father.

Love forgets the imperfections … even when it hurts.

So look for the places of redemption in the relationships that make you ache.

Love without expecting love in return … and leave the rest up to the Lord.

If we will simply love … He will take the sum of all our hurts … and cover them with His perfect love … and He never disappoints because He is the ultimate friend.

Father, help us discern the emotions that can harm our relationships …and teach us to love with endurance.

love mel

The Sisterhood of Messy Hearts #Grace

savannah ga 1194

She was the funniest girl in school with the coolest clothes. Everyone wanted to sit by her at lunch, but she decided who did. She formed a club and chosen members met on Friday nights at the skating rink.

Then her parents got a divorce. She told fewer jokes. The trips to the skating rink stopped.

I found her crying one day, and my sixth grade heart hurt because her world was falling apart. I could have been a good friend. Not like the one’s talking behind her back … but she wouldn’t let me.

Just like the popular girl in sixth grade, big girls have holes in their hearts too. We all have secrets, heartaches, betrayals and shameful details.

Wary of trust, a wall goes up blocking sweet connection on a Jesus level.

That’s exactly what the Devil wants when it comes to sisters in Christ.

When he separates us … he causes unity to fade.

With the fading of unity … the kingdom’s work is stalled.

So what is the solution?  What can we do?

savannah ga 1248

If we really want change … we have to be willing to change.

The scriptures say …

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3

The Greek interpretation for the word esteem means to lead … or go before. This made me think about not only putting others before myself … but taking the lead in loving my sisters first … before they love me.

I ache for this holy sisterhood to bond through the beautiful redemption process … to be real on a come to Jesus level … to find sincere connection and genuine grace.

What could happen if we all take the lead to love first?

What would that look like?

Perhaps a good starting place is putting our sister’s feelings before our own, letting selfishness fall to the wayside.

What if we put away all unfavorable perceptions and think only the best about our sister … instead of judging her in specific measures?

What if we forget previous clashes and renew our thoughts?

What affirmation for her if we’d speak truth in kindness, encouraging and praying for her.

What if we keep secrets in perfect trust and serve her in ways glorifying to our Father?

And because we are terribly flawed and we will fail her … we humbly ask for forgiveness … as we forgive.

You see in order for this sisterhood of messy hearts to flourish in Christ … grace must go both ways.

Oh what beauty is found in grace.

What hope is exchanged in love.

What redemption is mined from humility.

The meekness of a messy sisterhood can be a beautiful tapestry of merciful grace … if only we’ll take the lead to love first.

So tell me sister … will you take the lead?