Let Unfinished Stories Be Unfinished. And Hope.

[This continues from the 2nd of a 4-part reflection on biographies...]

I didn't see a connection between the last two reflections right away. It wasn't until after publishing the second one that it struck me. Bill Cosby is trying to edit the worst stuff out of his story. Angelina Jolie, in turn, seems no less keen to edit the best stuff out of Louie Zamperini's story.

This realization got me thinking about people and their stories, but the kicker was still coming: an online article arguing that Christians should go see the Unbroken movie and should enjoy it. It was both convincing and moving. And convicting. It challenged my version of Angelina's story.

In my telling of Ms. Jolie's story, she (for whatever personal reasons) didn't want no Bible-thumpin' stuff in her movie, so she cut it out. But I was wrong. It turns out that Louie Zamperini himself wanted the movie done as it was. We could argue the merits of the approach taken, but he wanted the movie to be approachable for people from all walks and faiths.

Then came the 2-by-4 over my head. As I read the article, I was moved by how the entire extended Zamperini family had loved on Angelina and embraced her as their own. Louie, in particular, had become a very dear father figure for Angelina. Lord knows she needs one. Zamperini's daughter Cynthia Garris said this of Angelina:

"She was moved by my father's faith to try [praying to God for help] and that's what he wants for people to get from the movie," Garris explained. "I'll tell you, when my father died we were all with him in the hospital. [Angelina] came about 45 minutes later and she was pointing above saying 'I know he's with us, I know he's there with God.' I think maybe in God's plan for Angelina, she was supposed to find Louie and make this movie to find her way to a life that would encompass the Almighty."

Now the spotlight was on me. If Angelina had read my little vent-fest, would she have wanted me for family? I knew that the answer was No. But I wanted it to be (and knew it should be) Yes. My feelings about both Jolie and her movie had changed drastically. But the funny thing is...

Angelina hasn't changed in the last 12 hours. Just my perception of her.

Angelina Jolie has a story, too. It's complicated. And I don't know it. All this reminds me (yet again) that I should not rush to judge stories I don't know or try to end them prematurely. Especially people's stories.

Let unfinished stories be unfinished. Especially the ones that seem bad. If the story doesn't look pretty, pray for more chapters! This is not a good ending for Bill Cosby's story. Pray for him a good ending. Angelina Jolie has had a rough life. Pray for her a good ending.

[To be continued...]