When an Ad Speaks to the Heart

My husband who was also watching the Ad looked over at me and said, "Are you crying yet?"

OK, I'll admit it.

 Sometimes—(and by sometimes I mean often)—heartfelt TV commercials can make me cry.

This week was no exception; the latest Ad from Apple featured a family getting together with grandparents for Christmas.

All the kids are excited and participating in various greetings and activities, except the teenaged boy who appears to be glued to his iPhone.

The "mom" in me began to get frustrated with him as in every situation the boy seemed to be ignoring the family holiday festivities as he gazed intently at his smart phone's screen.

No doubt I wasn't alone considering the millions of other parents viewing the Ad for the first time.

And I'm sure I was joined by all of them again in a collective "Ohhhhhh" of revelation when the teen suddenly stood up, switched on the TV and (using his iPhone) played back the poignant home video he had been making of everything that had taken place since the family had arrived.

My husband who was also watching the Ad (and who knows me better than anyone) looked over at me and said, "Are you crying yet?"

I was.

It's a great Ad that depicts how sometimes our teens can be "misunderstood" and that—although on the surface it may not always be evident—they really are appreciating that family who loves them so.

Good job, Apple Advertising, for a pretty great commercial.

Watch it Here.

A Year After: Why Evil Didn't Win at Sandy Hook

"Evil didn't win that day. We'll carry on that love that she had. It's quiet, it's not on the news. It takes effort to find. But what I've realized through all of this is, how strong and how big God's love really is." -Alissa Parker

(Newtown, CT)—When I first heard the early reports of a "possible school shooting" at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, a year ago; I had hoped the situation would be resolved with little to no injuries or death.

Then came the impossible news that shook the nation—20 precious little lives ruthlessly cut short; the shooter's own mother's life was taken along with the six adults killed at the school, many as they tried to protect the children.

It was the "2nd deadliest mass shooting by a single person in American history."

"The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy…"

Along with the rest of those countless others watching on TV throughout the country, who were affected by the atrocity—I cried.

…For the little lives taken and for those mothers and fathers whose children's presents still sat ungiven, hidden away or under a tree. …For the dreams and hopes each parent had for the child they adored—dreams that would never be realized.
And yet, a measure of healing has come from an unlikely place… God has used strangers—people throughout America and the world, who felt a kinship-grief for these precious ones killed.

They sent cards and letters to the grieving families of Newtown; they paid bills, and offered prayers and words of hope.

Love was poured out, and evil didn't win.

Six-year-old Emilie Parker—one of the little girls killed at Sandy Hook—left an indelible imprint of joy on her families' hearts that the enemy can't destroy.

Robbie and Alissa, Emilie's parents, have chosen to highlight Emilie's joy and love of life by letting the world know that "Evil Did Not Win" and God's love will and does overcome.

In a blog for the Huffington Post, they wrote: "There have been times where I felt like I HAD to hold on to the dark things, like it was some responsibility I was supposed to carry. But Emilie's life was about color and joy, not about pain and suffering."

The Parkers have captured this concept in a video they've made public that aptly details the horror and sadness of learning their little Emilie was gone; but of the love and kindness that kept them going, and eventually prevailed.

Watch it by Clicking Here.