Road Trip to Vassar

The day before Easter I spontaneously got in my car and drove about 3 hours to Vassar, MI.

The motivation came from the fact that the Vassar Theatre was the only movie house left in the U.S. that was showing the film, Old Fashioned. I'd seen the film before, and it's a great one. So that, mixed with the fact that I love supporting indie, faith-based films, and it was a perfect spring day combined to get my travel bug going.

So, off I went.

The film follows the relationship of Clay and Amber. Two very different people, and how faith causes their friendship with each other and with God to grow. It's also about redemption and chivalry and mercy and grace told in the context of honest friendships.

Along the way there, I was listening to a bunch of CDs. Among them Sarah Masen's "The Dreamlife of Angels." One song, in particular spoke to me. It's called Girl on Fire:

I think we're coming to a standstill
I think you're magic, with your strong will
But this is love and not justice

He's hurting everything he touches
You cannot carry what he clutches
He needs a mother and confession
And he does not tell you - you are precious

Well how about some peace and honesty
Some hard-core love and charity
A sense that you are family
You are a precious girl on fire

I think we're coming to a standstill
I think you're magic with your strong will
But this is love and not justice

He's hurting everything he touches
You cannot carry what he clutches
He needs a father and some healing

And he forgets his own words

Well how about some love and charity
A sense that you are family
I'd like to help but you're on fire

How about respect and dignity
Some hard-core hope and clarity
You are a precious girl on fire

And there is so much in forgiveness
But he is sticking to his business

How about some love and charity
A sense that you are family
You are a precious girl on fire

You are a careful mystery
Not someone's sweet commodity
You are a precious girl on fire

The part of this song that spoke to me the most was its call for love, charity, dignity, family and forgiveness.

Towards the end of Old Fashioned, there's a scene where Clay is with his Aunt Zella (a very wise senior citizen). He's there because he needs a shoulder  to cry on (because he's having a hard time accepting the fact that he's good enough for Amber). Basically, Aunt Zella doesn't offer her shoulder. In fact she chides Clay and tells him to quit being so self-righteous. She tells him, "There is no virtue without forgiveness."  (You should also know that she encourages him, very strongly, to go after Amber).

It all sounds so easy, doesn't it? But how many of us, myself included, go around thinking less of ourselves that God does? And we think it's somehow holy. But it isn't. The simple truth is, none of us is worthy, or without blemish (sin), but the astounding fact is, God loves us anyway, because in God's eyes, we are precious.

Girl on Fire