Reset for Love

In the 1937 movie “The Amazing Adventure” Cary Grant plays Ernest Bliss, a fabulously wealthy young man in London who is told by his doctor that the only cure for his lethargy and boredom is to “disappear” for a year, and live as a person on a very limited income working for his board and room and all other needs. When the doctor refuses to shake his hand because he is convinced that Earnest has no intention of following his “prescription”, Earnest vows to do exactly as the doctor ordered. Thus begins Ernest’s great adventure.

In the course of the year Ernest meets many needy individuals and finds himself indebted to the kindnesses of others who are sympathetic with his poverty and need, and others who try to take advantage of him. He meets Mary, a secretary in an office where he applies for a job, and falls in love with her. His love for Mary is cinched when Mary, who believes that Ernest is rock bottom poor, tells him that she loves him, but doesn’t see any way they can be together, as neither of them has enough income to support even one.

Telling a friend of his dilemma, Ernest says, “”She loves me! I know she loves me because she thinks I’m poor, and she still told me she loves me!” Ernest’s whole self –worth is tied up with his personal wealth, and he is shocked to find someone entirely ignorant of his wealth who loves him for something else. In the end they find a way for Ernest to complete his year of poverty, almost; and for Mary to marry him knowing that he is actually very rich. The doctor shakes his hand at last, and the Cinderella story ends happily. Ernest will spend the rest of his life loving Mary, for he is convinced that she is the only woman in the world who could truly and authentically love him for himself.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

When Ernest first visited the doctor he knew only that he had fatigue, restlessness, and a feeling of discontent. He didn’t imagine that his condition was spiritual instead of physical, but the doctor recognized his symptoms after examining him, and said that he had several patients like him, who needed a “restart” in their lives also. Of all his patients, only Ernest accepted the “reset”, and it changed his life permanently.

“Love never Fails” (1 Corinthians 3:8).

Love in Him,

Prue