It’s a Wonderful Life

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives.

When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

My favorite movie of all time has got to be It’s a Wonderful Life.  Last Saturday evening it was showing on TV and like every year at Christmas, it was on at my house.

When I was growing up I didn’t really enjoy the old black and white version, it just seemed so old and boring.  But when my college roommate dug the VHS tape out of his collection, we sat down and watched the whole thing from start to finish, and my love for the movie was born.  There were times where I would watch the movie multiple times in a week, feasting on chips and salsa, mesmerized by Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.  On other occasions my roommate and I would have it playing in the background while we finished school work or folded laundry.

What was so enticing about George Bailey and Clarence his guardian angel?  Why did we revere the story then and why do I still enjoy it immensely now?

I believe the message of the movie is summed up by Clarence in the quote above.

George rescues his younger brother from drowning in a pond when they’re kids.  He saves his town on multiple occasions from being bought up by Mr. Potter, an ambitious entrepreneur.  He unknowingly touches the lives of everyone with whom he comes in contact.  George has had a bigger impact on his world than he ever dreamed and when Clarence uses his heavenly powers to remove George from the world, he finally realizes the truth.  He has made a difference in the world.  His life matters.

Personally, I’ve never directly saved anyone’s life (as far as I know!), but I am curious as to what kind of impact my life has had on the world around me.  Positive or negative, or some of both, the people I grew up with, those I encountered in college, and now in the working world and at the Mission, what has my life meant?  What difference have I made in the world?

Many of the homeless men we serve at the Kansas City Rescue Mission are transient, and we often don’t get to see how their stories end.  Some of our clients find work, get into housing, and are totally transformed.  Other men seem to return to the Mission every few months, back to their old habits and friends.  Many disappear and are never heard from again, moving on to a new life somewhere else, for good or ill.  The difference that we made and the changes that occurred are often difficult to see.

Sometimes I feel like George Bailey and wonder what the world would be like without me.  Unlike George, I think most of us are just going to have to wait until we get to heaven to see just what kind of impact we made.  Still, it’s so nice when a former client returns to the Mission, not for a bed or a meal, but just to say thanks or to give back.

One of our long-time clients, Art, has decided to give back.  He used to be a regular at the Mission, homeless and hungry.  Our case manager, Sarah, helped him find a steady source of income and housing in Kansas City, KS.  That was about three years ago.  Now, every Wednesday night, you can find Art down at KCRM.  He’s not here to eat or sleep.  He’s in the kitchen, preparing and serving the evening’s meal for our overnight guests.  He’s saying thanks and giving back.

Art’s story and others like it remind me of the impact we are having on these guys lives.  Change is possible and happens all the time.  And I’m a part of it.  You can be, too.  Our volunteer coordinator, Juliann Hansen, is always looking for ways to use volunteers in meaningful, impact-ful ways.  You can reach her at jhansen@kcrm.org or call (816)421-7643 and ask for Juliann.  Or you can give on our website.

In big ways and small ways, KCRM is making an impact in the world.  No question about it.  No need to check with Clarence!

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