Stand By Me and Power of Grace and Presence

Those of us who grew up in the 1980s may recall a film that would remind us of the innocence of childhood. One film was Stand by Me. The film was loosely based on a horror novel called The Body written by Stephen King. Yet, the film was far from the novel.

In fact, the film is a cult classic to this day. Rolling Stone has called Stand by Me "a staple of youthful nostalgia" and "the rare movie that necessarily gets better with time"

The film follows a group of four boys who seek the body of a missing boy. Along the way, they learn about each other and become best friends.

The film, while not religious, does offer messages of faith.

Sharing In One Another’s Burden

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor’s glory should be laid on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken." In the film, the four friends carried deep grief, isolation, and silent pain, mirroring the spiritual call to comfort those who mourn.

One example is Chris Chambers, who feels that he is destined to be a criminal like members of his family. Yet, he would later become a lawyer.

The Sanctity of Deep Communion

In writing his memoir, Gordie LaChance wrote, “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12," This came after hearing the death of Chris Chambers.

His quote reminds us of how important true friendship is in our lives. We need people who can build us up and help unlock the best that is in us.

The film itself reminds us of childhood innocence. It even shows us how to find the right people who will be there for us through the good and bad.