The Straight Story

Last Sunday, as I was preparing my lesson on Matthew 5:21-26, I recalled a movie I had watched a couple of years ago with my younger brother.  The movie is called “The Straight Story.”  It’s not an action thriller.  It never received any big press or movie awards.  It’s just a simple story about real people with real problems. 

Richard Farnsworth plays Alvin Straight, just a regular guy from Iowa.  Alvin was estranged from his brother following an alcohol induced fight in which both men held a grudge for many years.  Alvin’s brother became terminally ill and Alvin decided it was time to patch things up.  He no longer had a driver’s license, so he hopped on his John Deere lawn mower, with trailer in tow and headed north to his brother’s some 300 miles away in Wisconsin. 

The story captures Alvin’s adventures on the way.  He shares his story with the people he meets along the way and how he influenced others and how they influenced him.  My favorite part is when Alvin gets to his brothers and the pure, simplistic manner in which they make up.  It will bring a tear to your eye.  This is a must see movie.

 Oh, how easy it is for all of us to allow some stupid, idiotic, ridiculous….something to put a gap in a relationship with someone we love dearly.  Pride and ego keep us from taking the steps it takes to bridge the gap.  Why wait until there’s an illness to do what needs to be done?  Why wait until the wall of death makes it impossible to make that journey back? 

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”