Christmas Under Wraps, a Hallmark movie, made me want life to the fullest. Actress Candace Cameron Bure plays the role of a motivated young doctor, who planned her entire life. She would become a surgeon like her dad. She would get a fellowship at a well-known hospital in Boston where her dad and granddad went.

Obsessed with Her Plans

Obsessed with her plans, Dr. Lauren Brunell experiences shock and hurt when her fiancé breaks up with her over dinner in a public restaurant. His reason: she planned everything including his life and their marriage. He didn’t want to be locked into her plans for every minute of the day and preferred a more spontaneous life.

Although I’ve watched Christmas Under Wraps several times, this year I looked at it in a new light. I heard sermons on the benefits of allowing time to enjoy life and not to plan every minute of it. Those sermons encouraged me to choose life to the fullest, the abundant life, not a second-rate version of it.

Like Dr. Lauren Brunell, my detailed plans haven’t materialized. I’ve faced frustration and disappointment. Of more importance, I’ve wondered what the lesson is.

The first lesson in Christmas Under Wraps is one of direction.

I will place my planner before God each morning and ask Him for direction. His plan for my day will be better than mine. Trying to force my plan to work hasn’t succeeded. I will write God’s direction in my planner. Years ago, a client asked me, “What makes you tick?” The first lesson in movie #ChristmasUnderWraps: Direction Share on X

I said, “I march to the beat of a different drummer.” I will remember to march to the beat of my Heavenly Drummer. In other words, I will follow His direction.

The second lesson in Christmas Under Wraps is one of listening.

Dr. Lauren Brunell’s mother told her to listen to her heart. I realized I pray daily to have a heart like God’s. That means I don’t just tell God what’s on my heart but take time in prayer to listen to His. God loves me and wants what’s best for me. Many things are good, but they aren’t God’s best for me. If I listen to him, I will experience life to the fullest.

Each time I work on book #5 on speaking tips and on book #6 on divorce, I say in prayer, “God, what stories or examples do you want in those chapters?” Then I listen for His answer. I am learning to do the same for a blogpost. The second lesson in the movie, #ChristmasUnderWraps Share on X

The third lesson in Christmas Under Wraps is one of being A.L.I.V.E.

In each phone call with her parents, Lauren Brunell’s mother talked to her about fulfillment. The next morning after watching the Hallmark movie, during my Bible study Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament, I read the acronym, A.L.I.V.E. on page 179 and what it means. The author, Pam Farrel, quoted Dr. Ken Nichols. His acronym stands for:
A-Always
L-Living
I-In
V-View of
E-Eternity

Dr. Ken Nichols said, “Seeing life through the grid of Bible truth is the single most important contributor to emotional, relational, physical and spiritual fulfillment.” Third lesson in the movie, #ChristmasUnderWraps Share on X

For a related post on my website, read Be Still Before the Lord at Christmas Time? Click here: Be Still Before the Lord at Christmas Time?

For a related external post, read 101 Ways to Live Your Life to the Fullest

To wrap up, the three lessons learned from Christmas Under Wraps and Life to the Fullest are:

1.    Direction
2.    Listening
3.    Being A.L.I.V.E.

Isaiah 55:8: “‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.”

Prayer: God, help me follow the three lessons to experience life to the fullest. Amen.

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Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega December 16, 2019