The Tree of Life

Every parent should see this movie. It has changed me. It has given me tangible direction as a mother, yet its true influence is indescribable. 
The movie, and all our lives, hinge upon this quote given by the mother:

There are two ways through life - the way of nature and the way of grace. You have to choose which one you'll follow.

Grace doesn't try to please itself. Accepts being slighted, forgotten, disliked. Accepts insults and injuries. 

Nature only wants to please itself. Get others to please it too. Likes to lord it over them. To have its own way. It finds reasons to be unhappy when all the world is shining around it. And love is smiling through all things. 

No one who loves the way of grace ever comes to a bad end. 

I will be true to you. Whatever comes.

The mother in this movie embodies everything that a nurturing mother full of grace should be. She is a powerful, relatable character. As are all the characters.

There is very little dialogue, but this direction is superb:

The only way to be happy is to love. Unless you love, your life will flash by. 

Do good to them. Wonder. Hope. 

Help each other. Love everyone. Every leaf. Every ray of light. Forgive. 

One of the greatest things I took from this movie was the imperative need for constant and open communication with the Lord, every minute of every day- to guide us as parents and as His children. I am so grateful that the Lord has seen fit to make me a mother. And "I will be true to you. Whatever comes."