It's Raining... Meatballs?

   So lately I’ve been thinking about stuff that falls from the sky, with all the snow that fell from the sky this week who can blame me? Yes, when we think of things that fall from the sky we typically think about rain, sleet, hail, snow and so on. Also we can think of the occasional cat and dog, as the metaphor goes. But the other day I was sitting at home, since I could not go out because of the weather, watching tv. A movie came on that I haven’t seen in a while: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

   For those of you who haven’t seen the movie first I would recommend it. Though some critics would disagree, I think it is a good movie for multiple reasons. The main reason is because of the lesson behind the story. In the movie Flint Lockwood is a man who has failed many times. He is an inventor whose inventions have ruined the town. His dad has never understood him either so that does not help his confidence. Flint wants to make up for all his failures and be popular. He comes up with an invention that makes food out of water. Through some accidents, Flint ends up getting the machine up in the sky. Now, since the machine is up in the atmosphere where it can get water from the clouds, Flint can make whatever food he wants and it will rain from the sky. The people of the town begin to see Flint as a hero who will save the town. They also ask him to make it rain many different types of food. Flint takes so many requests that the machine begins to overload. This makes the food grow bigger so it crushes homes. But that’s not the worst part, the food also comes to life eventually. Flint feels like a failure again and almost gives up. But, his father encourages him to keep going. I won’t ruin the ending for you but basically Flint needs to go up and destroy the machine.

   There are so many lessons in this movie. The first is that there will be people who do not understand you. We are all unique and think differently. God made us that way and it is great. We may not think that it is at times, but think about it. If we didn’t have people who thought differently we may not have the art, movies, governments, inventions, and many other things. Romans 12:6 discusses the different spiritual gifts that God gives us. He gave us those for a reason, we just need to try to use them to the best of our ability.

   Next is peer pressure and relationship with family. Flint wanted the approval of his dad. He did everything because he wanted his dad to say he was proud of him. He also wanted to get approval from others. People will want you to conform to this world. Romans 12:2 says: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” It doesn’t matter what others think about us; it only matters what God thinks about us. I know that can seem hard at times to only care about what God thinks. But, He is all we need.

   Finally, and this may be the most important lesson, God answers prayer in his own way. Flint took all the requests from the people because he did not want anyone to be unhappy. This ended up in mass chaos. God knows everything that has happened and will happen. There is a reason behind everything he does. Sometimes he says no to what we pray for, for our own good. Other times he says wait. Or, he may say yes, but our prayer may not be answered in the way we expected. Luke 18:1 says: “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart.” We may not expect God to answer prayers the way he does, but one way or another God will answer prayers.

   

So the next time you question the way God made you remember that he gave you gifts and abilities for a reason. When you feel down because you don’t have the approval of others remember God’s opinion is the only one that matters. And, finally, remember that God has a plan for you and cares for you.