Be a Scrooge - Visitor's Story

by Timothy Petty
(Caswell County, NC, USA)

The other night my daughter and I sat down with a bowl of popcorn and put in a DVD of one of my favorite Christmas movies. The film was "Scrooge"; the 1970 musical version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" to be exact which has been a favorite since I was a child.

Dickens' classic (in one medium or other) has been a holiday tradition in many families for many years and for very good reason. The lessons it teaches us, such as charity, the joy of giving, love for our fellow man, the power of redemption, and many other truths ring as important today as they did in 1843 when the novel was first published. Everyone knows the story of Scrooge and we've heard, seen or read it so many times that it's become almost a cliche, however something different struck me this time watching it.

Something that I never really noticed before. Something that maybe isn't as festive as the spirit of giving or as heartwarming as appreciation for our fellow man, but just as important. Through Ebenezer Scrooge's ordeal and eventual redemption we are shown not only why to change, but how to change.

Many of us want to change. Whether it be living a healthier lifestyle, giving up an addiction such as alcohol or tobacco or having a renewed sense of purpose at a career, there are few among us who won't admit that there's some part of ourselves that needs work. This is nothing to be ashamed of. The desire to improve is just as human a trait as walking upright, but more often than not we let ourselves get in the way of that very change. We procrastinate, make excuses and hesitate ourselves out of the chance to be better.

Old Ebenezer did none of those things! He returned from his journey with the spirits with a purpose! He said "I've got a chance to change and I will not be the man I was!" He didn't say "I'll do it tomorrow", or make it his New Year's Resolution. "I will begin TODAY" he said. And he did. He didn't say "I'll make a list of things I need to do differently" or "I'll gradually get to where I need to be". He didn't worry about those who might think he was crazy or disparage him in any way. He saw the chance to change and he took it, and not only that, but he was grateful for the opportunity! He wasn't dreading the sacrifices he knew he was going to have to make, he was looking forward to the opportunity to become the man he knew in his heart he should and could be.

If you have something in your life that needs work, be like old Ebenezer! Be the person who gets things done in their own life. Be the person who's grateful for the chance and ability to change. Be the person who lets nothing or no one stand in the way of their being who they want to be.

Be a Scrooge!