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A cup of Joe

One of my favorite movies is Joe vs. the Volcano. It has a certain existentialist theme that I find quite enjoyable.

The movie opens with the song Sixteen Tons and has people in drab clothes trudging in to their weary jobs in the factory that makes undesirable medical supplies. As they enter, they do not notice a daisy (my favorite flower, btw) that has grown up between the cracks of the sidewalk. In fact, the opening sequence ends with someone stepping on it. Joe, after having his existential epiphany, is able to see the flower. He gently picks it up and straightens out the petals, restoring some of the former beauty. We know that this will be a futile effort, but he takes the time to do it anyway....

It is a beautiful moment, a symbol of what is and what should be. We are often caught up in the world and our lives, missing the beauty that is all around us. Literally all around us. We need to wake up and learn to appreciate and love LIFE for what it is and for what we've been given. Truly, there is beauty all around.

I am not talking about being pollyannaish. Nor am I advocating keeping our heads in the clouds and ignoring the needs around us. But there is real beauty and majesty and loveliness surrounding us. In it, we can come to know our Father's love for us, unworthy though we may be. Every day is precious. He has engineered our lives carefully to bring us to this point. The whole world is at our feet. Let's enjoy it!

Twenty-four hours a day. Seven days a week.

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