George Bailey is one of my all time favorite characters and I’m betting a lot of you feel the same way. I just love him and I never get tired of watching this movie every year. George speaks to all of us. If you don’t think your life matters, I suggest you watch this movie today.

Here’s a guy who gave up on his own dream because of his love for others, and then life dealt a series of tough blows, and he felt he was at the end of his rope. We know the story right? He was going to jump off the bridge himself but wound up jumping in to save the old man that was actually an angel sent to show him the way.

George Bailey is the gift that keeps on giving played out in front of us every year and has saved me more than one time. How many times have you asked yourself Why I’m here?, What’s the point?, or Do I really matter? I guess I could go on and on about the movie because I’m a big fan but ol’ George makes me realize every year that it’s really a wonderful life. Notice I said “wonderful”. I didn’t say easy, stress free, without heartaches, pain, or deep sorrow……I said softly, “it’s a wonderful life”. I like this definition of “wonderful” the best:

“Inspiring excitement & wonder; astonishing.”

George Bailey thought he’d basically thrown away his dreams. Like most of us, he didn’t realize when he was at his lowest point that living a life where you sacrifice for others is without a doubt, the most wonderful life and it DOES matter….it matters to everyone around you! There a few things said in this story but one thing stands out to me. You can’t experience love without sacrifice. It ain’t sexy. It won’t help your bank account. It won’t ever be easy…..but at the end of it all… it will fill your heart with “Wonderful”.

So, this year, I’m not only wishing us to have an incredibly happy, fun, & successful lap around the sun, but I’m wishing everyone to have an “Inspiring Exciting Wonder, & Astonishing” New Year….because,….YOU truly are “A Wonderful Life”