Hallmark Movies and Dark Sides

Sometimes I think it’d be nice if life were a Hallmark movie. There would be tragedy, yes, but everything would resolve within two hours and everyone would live happily ever after. I should know. I watched at least six Hallmark movies over the weekend. It may have been eight. I lost count.

My dad called to say hey last night. He was cutting out coupons and thinking of me. As we were talking and I told him that I’d been at my apartment all weekend, he said, “Well it’s good you’ve been able to rest and have some time to yourself. But the danger in that is that it can make you feel lonely and alone.” He is exactly right. After so many hours of sleep and Hallmark movies—all of which end with the guy getting the girl or vice versa—one can begin to feel sort of lonely and alone. And when this one feels lonely and alone, her thoughts can turn very dark and unrealistic. I’m glad my dad called. And I’m glad that Iron Chef America pulled me away from the Hallmark channel.

A few weeks ago, I got Kelly Clarkson’s latest CD. The purchase was a Target impulse buy, but I’m glad I bought it because there are some good songs on the CD. One of them is called “Dark Side.” The lyrics are:

There's a place that I know
It's not pretty there and few have ever gone
If I show it to you now
Will it make you run away
Or will you stay
Even if it hurts
Even if I try to push you out
Will you return?
And remind me who I really am
Please remind me who I really am

Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody's a picture perfect
But we're worth it
You know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?

Like a diamond
From black dust
It's hard to know
It can become
A few give up
So don't give up on me
Please remind me who I really am

Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody's a picture perfect
But we're worth it
You know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?

Don't run away
Don't run away
Just tell me that you will stay
Promise me you will stay
Don't run away
Don't run away
Just promise me you will stay
Promise me you will stay

Will you love me?
Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody's a picture perfect
But we're worth it
You know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?

I just got back from Christmas Packet Day. On the first Monday of every December, a group of us gather at a local church to finalize the packets. Packets are delivered from churches and associations from across the state, but they must be checked and stuffed with a Christmas card and scripture booklet before they are delivered. As I worked today, surrounded by both civilians and inmates, I couldn’t help but think of Kelly’s song—of Hallmark movies and loneliness—of the dark side that each of us has. And I couldn’t help but be grateful that scripture tells us that, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for [we] are all one in Christ Jesus.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m thankful that everybody’s got a dark side—that none is better than another—that we are all connected with a common thread of humanity—and that we can live with the hope that, somehow, in the end, maybe not as easily as a Hallmark movie, Light will consume darkness and Love will prevail.

God…thanks for not giving up on us and for giving us a chance to pass on your steady love. Amen.