Thoughts on The Fellowship of the Ring

My husband and I were treated to a special movie event a couple of years ago. We got to see The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring extended edition on the big screen as it was meant to be seen. We loved it. Here are some things I learned (or was reminded of) as I wept my way through parts of the film:

From Boromir:

When I lose hope and faith, I will more easily fall prey to evil.

When I fall, I can repent. I can come back and fight to make it right.

from Frodo:

I don't have to know how to do what's ahead of me or which way to go. If I am willing, I can put one foot in front of the other, accepting guidance and direction from a source I trust.

from Galadriel:

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." - Alma 37:6

I have a light I can turn to in dark places, when all other lights go out. 

from Sam:

There is power in keeping covenants. Sam's determination to keep his promise allows him to be a blessing to someone who needs him most. 

I have always loved Sam. Besides being a true friend, Sam's faith and hope see him and Frodo through. In the last scene of The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo turns and says, "I'm glad you're with me Sam." All I could think (through my tears) was, "I'm glad you're with him too!"

In two weeks, I will get to do this again and see The Return of the King. My favorite part of these favorite books is in the last, and is referred to briefly in the extended edition of the film. (A portion was even in the speech Sam makes near the end of The Two Towers.)

"There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."

p.s. I saw The Return of the King. Something I noticed: Sam can see the star and feel hope. Frodo cannot. It is up to those of us who do see the eternal perspective to help those we love who don't.