Are You A Lily?

I recently discovered and watched for the first time an old Jimmy Stewart movie, "You Can't Take It With You."  Filmed in 1938 and filled with symbolism, the movie focuses on a family who has found ways to live life doing what they love.  Each has given up their individual rat races in society and instead chosen to use the talents with which God has blessed them to create a happier, more meaningful life for themselves.  They are each learning to live life in their sweet spot.  And while the "Home Sweet Home" sign falls off the wall each time someone passes or a door is slammed, it becomes obvious early in the film that this home is indeed a sweet, albeit somewhat unusual, place to live.

When invited to join them in their eccentric lifestyle, Mr. Poppins, an accountant by day/talented inventor by night, (and no relation to Mary) thinks as most of us would think.  He asks the question, "But how would I live?  Who takes care of you?"  To which Grandpa, the patriarch of the Vanderhoff family, responds in faith, "The same One that takes care of the lilies of the field."   Mr.Poppins soon decides that he will join them so that he can pursue life as a full-time inventor, and he declares as he leaves his accounting job, "The die is cast.  I'm a lily."  

While there is not an overwhelming presence of dialogue in the film concerning their faith, it's clear in the prayers Grandpa Vanderhoff offers at mealtime that he has a personal relationship with God.  And it's obviously this faith and trust in God from which he draws the strength and determination to live the life he feels God has called him to live. 

We could learn alot from Grandpa Vanderhoff and Mr. Poppins.  The faith that they demonstrate in their lives is remarkable.  Their belief that God will provide for their needs is unwavering.  And their literal translation of the scripture should be an example for all of us.  Jesus promised to take care of the needs of the crowd as He preached the sermon on the mount.  "Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They toil not; neither do they spin... and if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you."  

 Make no mistake, scripture is the same yesterday, today, and forever.   Just as His promise was true at the Sermon on the Mount, it was still true for Grandpa Vanderhoff and Mr. Poppins in 1938, and it still stands true for us today.  All we have to do is believe it as they did.  We need only to become a lily.


“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? ²⁷ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
 ²⁸ “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, ²⁹ yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ³⁰ And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
 ³¹ “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ ³² These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
 ³⁴ “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."  ~ Matthew 6:25-34