**I probably should have written this post before Valentine’s Day, as it is about love, but I think it works perfectly on the flip side of this high-pressure holiday. Maybe if your husband didn’t make it the day of your dreams with flowers and cards and diamonds and elaborately planned outings, or your kids threw tantrums instead of bringing you breakfast in bed, you can be released from those expectations and harboring any bitter root with this precious reminder from a very unsuspecting character.** 🙂
Have y’all seen Disney’s latest movie Frozen yet?
Two words – LOVE. IT.
It’s at our local dollar theater this week and let me just say that I fully plan on neglecting all household responsibilities in order to be at every showing.
For those who haven’t seen Frozen, let me introduce you to Olaf.
He is a lovable little snowman who sprinkles joy and fun throughout the movie.
What’s humorous about this precious guy is that he has no idea that if he gets anywhere near warmth, he will melt. In fact, his biggest dream is to experience the season of summer and he dedicates an entire song to telling us all about it.
The other characters in the movie sort of play along and encourage his innocent, idyllic mindset, but toward the end of the movie, the truth comes out in a moment that spoke to my heart in an incredibly powerful way.
The heroine of the movie, Anna, is struck by ice and falls incredibly ill.
Olaf discovers Anna as she is literally freezing to death alone in a room in the castle.
He immediately begins to pull her body toward the fireplace to bring her comfort, but she cries out for him to stop because he will surely melt from the heat.
And {{here’s the zinger}} Olaf quickly responds,
“Some people are worth melting for.”
This movie was such a precious gift to me as it came right smack at the beginning of a season where I was having a particularly difficult time loving someone very close to me.
Olaf’s words came at me like a thousand little arrows fired to destroy the feelings of bitterness and hurt and hopelessness I was experiencing in my heart toward this person.
Olaf’s words challenged me.
Because some days ‘melting’ for another person is not exactly something I’m interested in doing.
Some days it is not easy to love the people close to us.
Some days the pain that a loved one may have caused us is almost too much to bear.
Some days we might even consider quitting on the people we love because it would just. be. easier.
Some days love takes a back seat to all the things I want, I expect, I need from a relationship.
And that is where we get it wrong, my friends. We tend to mess love up by making it all about me me me me me.
But TRUE love remembers that the people we chose to spend our forever with are precious in HIS sight.
Created by Him.
Perfectly.
So no sin, or troubling habit, or hurtful word, or wrongful deed on their part really matters when we fully embrace this truth.
They are worth melting for simply because they are HIS.
In essence, whether that goofy little snowman knew it or not, he was reminding me of the Gospel.
Jesus loved us enough to ‘melt’ for us, even though we are sinners.
He saw past all the things that we tend to let build walls in our human relationships.
He saw us for who we truly are.
He saw us as WORTH IT.
Mother Teresa, whose words you might find a little more credible than a snowman’s, once said, “We must grow in love and to do this we must go on loving and loving and giving and giving until it hurts – the way Jesus did. Do ordinary things with extraordinary love.”
So today I’d like to encourage you, my sweet blog friends, to melt for your people.
No matter how difficult or unlovely or painful at times it might be.
Because your people – they are most certainly worth it.
And because that is living the Gospel.
– Julie
“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16
Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom. I do hope the pain you are experiencing will melt away.
It was great to see an email from you.
Who knew such a profound life lesson could be learned from a cartoon snowman? Lovely post.
Your God given wisdom, profound posts & a little snowman story have melted my heart!!! Thank you!
This was the perfect post at the perfect time!
Thank you for sharing and always giving from the heart!
Kind regards,
Robin R. Edwards
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I too was blessed by Olaf and his sweet message of love. You mentioned on your post bitterness. I too have been hurt by someone very close and dear to me. I was really struggling with bitterness as a result. I memorized Ephesians 4:31-5:2 but I still was having a hard time. I found a wonderful article that helped me so much. Here it is for you if you would like it. A PDF will come up if you Google: How to be Free from Bitterness by Jim Wilson. After reading it helped me so much and I have been free.
I just love this! I totally have people I should be melting for but choose to stay away from the fire. I so needed this. Thank you, Julie!
Beautiful post! May God continue to move in your heart and bless you for taking time to share with others.
Yasmin
My daughter will be turning 4 next month, and we have seen this wonderful movie. And for the last month, she’s always asking if certain things melt. This made me think of her even more and I can’t wait to relay this on to her. Because at her young age, she’s already touching lives as a Christian, and is an inspiration to me. We were ready The Lion King yesterday, and we would talk about what Jesus would want or expect from the decisions made.
Thank you for giving me a new perspective of the movie!!! God Bless!
I can’t do it. I don’t liove my husband. Years and thousands of doars jn counseling. I am frozen. I think it would be worse to have a terminal illness than to live with a man who is abusive and not leading his home and meets few if any of my needs.
I hear you that it is not about me. I am seeking Jesus to meet all of my needs. Right now it is not enough. Just being honest.
Would appreciate prayer
Laura,
When I was writing this post I actually had the thought that someone might read it and not understand it from the perspective of being in an abusive relationship. I couldn’t figure out where to plug in some extra thoughts, but since you commented, I will just write them in reply here.
I was concerned that some might read this post and take it to mean that we be doormats – letting people walk all over our ‘melted’ puddle selves. We DO need to speak up about our needs. When there is something we need to communicate to our husbands concerning our needs, we should be prayerful, kind, and respectful when doing so (check out this great post – http://www.the-generous-wife.com/2012/02/07/repay-with-blessing/). It sounds like you probably learned some helpful communication tips in your counseling sessions.
But if your husband is abusing you and your life is in danger, then I implore you to GET HELP. Find a shelter for domestic abuse victims. Stay at a friend’s house while you seek further assistance on this. Go to your church and see what kind of help might be available for you there. We as women of God can still BE SMART while also obeying the Scriptures to love one another and extend respect/kindness.
I am so sorry that you have been experiencing such a difficult season in your marriage. Precious sister, I will say a prayer for you right now. Be smart, be prayerful, seek help, and know that the Lord is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)… xoxo
I was in a abusive relationship vervally and emotionally with many threats. I prayed for so long then was finally able to leave my heartbreak at the alter. Im now happily divorced from the situatuon. Praying for you. Gid gave me the peace and strength to leave.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and using your talents.
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I loved this post and appreciate the reminder.
I also think you gave Laura good advice and I agree we shouldn’t be doormats.
Thank you
Perfect post at the perfect time! I need to let the Lord melt my heart:) Thanks so much, Julie!
I have just come to your blog through Pinterest as I was searching for Easter ideas, mainly how to integrate Christ and the bunny. I have now spent a while browsing your posts and I love your blog, thank you. God bless x
I haven’t received any updates for awhile. Just checkin in.
Tanya Lewis
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Sweet read from a blog I read.
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