Life is messy. Relationships are messy. People are messy. If you dare to get involved, they may hurt you. But some people are worth melting for!
The darling of the Disney blockbuster, Olaf the little snowman, made this line famous:
“Some people are worth melting for.”
Ultimately, this line meant he would be willing to give his life for Princess Anna. Fortunately for cartoon land and all that is right with the world of Disney, he didn’t have to.
However, this line – in the context of the broader movie theme – also contrasted the choice of Princess Anna’s sister, Elsa. Princess Elsa stormed off to live by herself, choosing to freeze out everyone in her life – keeping them safe from her and her safe from being hurt.
Princess Elsa proclaimed her frozen freedom with the song “Let it Go” (otherwise known as the soundtrack that mothers-of-daughters-under-13 have playing in their nightmares):
A kingdom of isolation and it looks like I’m the Queen …
Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know …
Let it go, let it go – You’ll never see me cry …
Let the storm rage on – the cold never bothered me anyway!
And so, in contrast to Princess Elsa’s frozen outlook, we see that “melting” would signify tears that come from feeling, from choosing the opposite of isolation, from letting others into your heart.
But that’s messy.
It’s Messy
Relationships are messy. People are messy. Life is messy.
And if you dare to get involved … Dare to open your heart to their prayer needs … Dare to care about their life …
Well, there will come a point when you may melt over them.
If we had the proverbial crystal ball, we might look into the future and assess each person before dipping our toes in the relationship pool. It’s probably a good thing we can’t.
Will they disappoint you? Most likely.
Might they take everything you offer in genuine concern and throw it out the door? Possibly.
Is their presence in your life guaranteed? Certainly not.
Do It Anyway
I feel a country song coming on.
A little Garth Brooks, “I could have missed the pain, but I’d have had to miss the dance.”
Not a country fan?
How about an English poem (Alfred, Lord Tennyson) “‘Tis better to have loved and lost – Than never to have loved at all.”
This idea is also at the heart of “The Paradoxical Commandments,” which Mother Theresa put on the wall of her children’s home in Calcutta. They begin with this line:
“People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. – Love them anyway.”
To summarize the rest of the infamous list: Do it anyway.
Here’s the thing.
You will often find yourself in a puddle.
How much better to be in a puddle as a result of melting from the warmth of a relationship than from having sprung a leak by keeping it all bottled in.
Investing and getting hurt is a far better alternative to insulating and isolating.
Both are hurts.
One stings for a while, the other aches for a lifetime.
It Matters
One more thing.
When it comes time for these same people that you let enter — to exit your life, let them know something will melt.
Yes, life moves on and we all have work to do and places to be, and one person’s absence is not going to disrupt all of that.
But something about them will be noticed when they are gone.
Tell them. Say something. It matters.
I worked in an office where everyone was considered replaceable.
This approach to management doesn’t just happen in the work environment, however.
Contingency planning is part of ministry and churches and all types of organizations.
There is a time for focusing on the plan and a time for focusing on the people.
As a leader in my office, I started telling people of their value on a regular basis, both in quick bits of spoken affirmation and in longer notes, emails, and sit-across-the-table-in-my-office sessions.
I let them know – even before they might ever decide to leave – what I considered irreplaceable about them.
Above all the noise of the world, people just want to know that their life matters.
When you identify how they matter in your life or your organization – and tell them – you sow seeds into lives that may sprout in ways you never imagined.
People matter. Words matter. Connect the two.
Some people are Worth Melting For
And finally, the ultimate example in all of this comes not from a Disney character but from Christ our Savior.
He knew it all – all the betrayal and backstabbing, all those who would turn their backs in his time of need, all those who would leave, all the pain and agony.
He knew it in advance and still counted people worthy of His investment – His sacrifice — His life.
Worthy of melting. Read the prophetic description of his crucifixion recorded in Psalm 22:14:
“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.”
Thank you, Jesus, for considering us worth melting for.
Fill us with your power to see others in the same way.
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13 Comments on “Some people are worth melting for – Olaf (Frozen)”
What a sweet post! People are worth melting for!
Love this, Christi – especially this line, “Above all the noise of the world, people just want to know that their life matters.”
So true!
Thanks for affirming to me and to so many others that our lives are making a difference!
You are worth melting for~
Melanie
Am just lost but found through your words because I sometimes wonder what a heart I have totally different from the one I can see in ma surrounding.
I am blessed to hear something in these words may have pointed you back to the only one whose words matter: Jesus. Thank you for being here.
Thank you for melting for us. Everyday for the last 7 months I’ve had to choose to lose the one I loved so much. I just knew it would cost me something. Thanks for reinforcing in my weak moment that it was worth it. Love you.
Sweet friend. I melt just thinking of you. I’m speechless trying to put into words what your family’s testimony has meant to me. But I will find them… words won’t get the best of me :) … Still lifting you up throughout the day and claiming the promise that you don’t grieve as those who have no hope.
Good stuff, Christi. Having said my share of incredibly difficult goodbyes over the last several years of living overseas and visits home and then moving home after loving and investing in friends that I’ll likely never see again on this side of heaven, I totally get what you say. I always said that the hard goodbye’s make way for some sweet hello’s. Hoping there are some sweet hello’s in your future. I’m confident there will be. :)
Wow, following your blog through those years, I know you know what I’m talking about. I watched (via the blogosphere) you make the most of every opportunity. There’s likely no telling this side of heaven just how many people you witnessed to about finding joy in the moment and embracing the journey. And now a new chapter for the Stunz family! As usual, we’ll watch as you step through it, waiting for our time to come some day.
Excellent, Christi! Just perfect! Sad for this time for you, but happy that the One who is leading you is also giving you strength for the trying times, the pain, and the joy. Love you so very much.
Well, I watched you lean on the One who lead through the years. I also learned a thing or two from you about how to handle goodbyes and how to lean into the trial.
I still have your letter from years ago before frozen when you told me and I hang onto it even now this OH! SO MANY years ago! Thank you!
Wow. Hearing that from you made my heart melt a little :). I don’t remember what letter you are talking about, but knowing that at some point, I did let you know at least some small part of all that you added to our lives makes me smile. You have blessed the Gee family in ways unmeasurable!
Your eloquence is only surpassed by your wisdom! Thank you (again) for the reminder!
You, dear friend, are biased :)… But I love how you love me. Thanks for taking time to say so!