I've been thinking a lot about this movie since I saw it on Sunday. At the risk of people hating me, I have to write down my thoughts.
Did I like it?
Mmmmm, I'm not sure. To tell you the truth, I feel a little guilty that I only saw the movie, but never read the book.
After a failed marriage, disappointment with life, and another failed relationship, Elizabeth Gilbert goes on a quest to "find herself." First, she goes to Italy and finds the joy in family and enjoying every moment of her life. I loved this part! Italy has been #1 on my list of places to travel for quite some time now, and I am even more convinced after seeing this movie. Second, she goes to live in India and learns
"God dwells within me, as me."
This is the moment I cringed.
If God dwells within me as me then I am in big trouble. If everyone does what they feel is right (and whatever they feel IS right because they are gods), then peace among people really is impossible. Unless there is a bigger, higher Power and unless there is a greater law, chaos rules. If the only hope I find is within myself then what happens when I am disappointed with life? Depressed? This "discovery" that Elizabeth uncovered was untrue, depressing, and hopeless.
Third, she goes off to Bali to visit a medicine man that she had met on a previous trip. She promises to teach him English if he teaches her all he knows. He teaches her the importance of balance and how love fits into that balance. La la la. Happy good feeling. "Smile from your liver."
After watching this movie, I was saddened. I was saddened because there are people all around me, in cars, their homes, shopping at Trader Joes and Target, who are hopeless. They are in the midst of vasts arrays of pain, from cancer to divorce or abuse to joblessness. Like Elizabeth Gilbert, they may be, for the first time, crying out to an Unknown God for help and then searching in all the wrong places for something to fill that emptiness inside of them.
And what does that mean for me?
Am I better than those around me because I have hope? NO!! I'm in their shoes. By the grace of a loving, Almighty God I have been given hope through Jesus Christ who is the power of God for salvation for all who believe. This God's law is love and it is something that gives hope and light and life. By that law, I have freedom. Freedom to live a life that pleases God by loving Him with all my heart, soul, and mind and loving my neighbor as myself.
God dwells in me, giving me life through His Spirit.
God also could write a book called Eat Pray Love. The difference would be the definitions. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." Praying is all about dependence on God, believing Him and His provision for our lives. Love. There is no greater law. God is love. Love for Him and love for those around us is what He modeled in Jesus Christ and what He calls us to do.
So . . . all that to say that I'm ready to get off my behind and start showing people the love of God is the hope they can have in their lives. For God's sake . . . people don't need to travel to India and Bali chasing their tales.
After seeing pencil rolls, I thought it would be fairly easy to make a crayon roll. While it was fairly easy, it was a little time-consuming because I went all-out and made one big enough for 24 crayons, all with matching colored fabric. Heck, I have to use my scraps somehow! Anyway, I've blogged a tutorial for thinkcrafts.com and will let you know when it comes up. In the meantime, run to Office Depot for your 25 cent pack of Crayola Crayons. 
