I am the Once-ler

            Hi, my name is Dan.  I'm in recovery from an addiction to pornography.  When I was a kid, my favorite Dr. Seuss book was The Lorax.  I guess it's still my favorite Dr. Seuss book.  I've always loved the sadness in that one word "unless" and all the unspoken potential for the future.  The emotion at the end of the book is so strong to me.  Obviously, I was really excited when I found out there was going to be a movie version created for the book.  The rest of this post contains spoilers, so if you haven't seen the movie yet, I told you so.  As I said, the book ends with the Truffula Forest in ruins and all the animals have gone away to try to find a new home.  The Once-ler is left alone and the Lorax lifts himself up and away through a hole in the clouds.  Well, the movie is quite different from the book, but the key elements are still there.  But the movie takes the story to the next step.  The Once-ler realized he had done wrong and hurt many in his casual disregard for those around him.  But he couldn't fix the problems he caused in his selfishness and pride by himself.  He was isolated and alone, surrounded by the ruins of his past and there was no way he could ever reverse the effects of his actions.  But he reached outside himself and asked for help.  Only then was he able to change and see his life and the world around him change.  At the very end the boy, Ted, is able to rally support from the town and plant the last Truffula seed despite the intense opposition.  At the very very end, the Once-ler is shown caring for some very small Truffula seedlings and the ravaging effects of pollution are beginning to dissipate.  And then something amazing happens. 

            The Lorax comes back. 

            He comes back to the Once-ler and they hug.  The Lorax forgives the Once-ler for all the destruction and devastation he caused. 

            In many ways, I am like the Once-ler.  My selfish and prideful addictions have caused destruction and devastation all around me.  I was isolated and depressed harrowed up by my sins and all the pain from the ruins of my past.  When I came to myself, I knew there was no way I could fix it alone.  I finally reached outside myself and asked for help.  That help was readily available.  And something amazing happened.  I began to feel the love of my Savior and His forgiveness.  I was able to begin forgiving myself and seeking the forgiveness of others.  Every time I see or even think about the Lorax hugging the Once-ler, I get this overwhelming feeling of love as if I'm the Once-ler and I'm being forgiven for my horrible, terrible sins.  And I usually cry.  The first time, I was seeing the movie in the theater with my family.  I was sitting there bawling as everyone around us left.  What a weirdo, I know.  But I couldn't help myself. 

           

            The Love of Jesus Christ is so real.  It's so palpable.  And it's so available to all of us.  We just have to reach out for it.