Following Jerry's recommendation we watched the Italian movie "Life is Beautiful" last night. We enjoyed it, but towards the end the movie takes on a harsher tone and is somewhat challenging to watch. The boy's father spins an elaborate tale to his young son so that he doesn't realise the danger they are in, and hides the boy to keep him safe. He puts his own life at risk to give his loved ones the best possible chance.
It made me think of how much God loves each person. So much that He laid his life on the line in order that we might have the opportunity to live for ever with Him.
It also made me wonder about the ethical dilemma we sometimes face when bad news is on the horizon. It can seem a kindness to spin a story to the victim so that they don't realise the seriousness of the situation. But then when the bad news shows up the person is unprepared and has not been able to take account of the impending change in circumstances. Perhaps it can be justified when the victim is a child (as in the movie), or is unable to deal with the real situation, but I think in most cases it is a mercy to gently let the sufferer know the full situation - and then to stand by them and help them through the ordeal.
I would argue that life is beautiful, but one aspect of beauty is the contrast between colours and shades. Without the darker aspects to life we would not appreciate all the joys and pleasures that come our way.
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