This past Saturday (Dec 18) I attended the annual Lord of the Rings party hosted by one of my favorite families, the Gautrauds. As nerdy as it sounds, i have been anticipating this party ever since i first heard of it during my freshman year in high school when my then YL leader Joel told me about how they hang up banners, light tons of candles and have a massive feast all while watching all three LOTR films. Needless to say this is right up my alley.
This year was the first year I was able to attend this famous get together and it was everything i ever thought it would be. Everyone was in full costume (mostly hobbits) and the atmosphere was really homey (if that's even a word), much like the feeling you get while watching the opening scene in the Fellowship of the Ring when you see Gandalf riding through the Shire, and Frodo sitting against a tree reading a book... ok maybe not that homey, but when you walk through the front door you are greeted with the amazing smell of pipe tobacco and the aroma of a hearty feast.
After I got settled in my first of three positions on the couch to begin watching the films, I quickly found myself immersed in the land of Middle Earth. Nerdy I know, but at this point i could care less. I have seen all of the movies several times before, but never all 9ish hours of them in one day. I have to say as tired as I was, It's so much better this way. You really get a feel for the struggle and burdon that Frodo is facing as he carries the ring to it's demise. Even more so I noticed the overwhelming support he had in his fellowship with Elves, Men, Dwarfs ect.
Of all the elegantly thought out themes of LOTR, I kept finding myself cling hard to Frodo's loyal friend Samwise Gamgee. I just can't get over how awesome and crucial he is to the journey. There are many times when Frodo wants to give up and it always seems like he gets handed the shaft. I mean, he gets stabbed like 3 times, and they aren't just a normal stab from some orc. He gets nailed by the King of the Nazgul with a blade that apparently just makes the wound a pain in the butt to heal, then he gets run through by a freakin cave troll, and lastly stabbed in the back with the stinger of a spider the size of a house. Let's face it, he has a really rough time and whats more amazing is Sam's willingness to keep pressing him on, even in the face of doubt and the uncontrollable urge to beat the crap out of Smeagol/Gollum.
I remember in high school my YL leader Pete gave a campaigners lesson about LOTR and the relationship that Sam and Frodo share. I remember Pete saying "Everyone needs a Samwise Gamgee!" Of course, me being a teenager I never gave it much thought after the fact until now. Numerous times in the films, Sam risked his very own life to keep Frodo out of the clutches of evil, whether it be fearlessly smacking a cave troll in the face with a skillet, or offering to carry the ring himself, Sam is most definitely the type of friend we all need. Even more though, he is the type of friend we all need to aspire to be for someone else. John 15:13 constantly popped in my head as i see this beautiful friendship unfold in front of me... "Greater love has none than this, than to lay down his life for his friends." I find myself constantly being reminded lately that loving your friends means more than buying them a cup of coffee or encouraging them with scripture. Granted, these things are excellent ways to show them you care, they are mear stepping stones. At one point during the last film 'Return of the King' Frodo and Sam are scaling Mt. Doom (rightfully named as they did not hope to make it out alive) Frodo falls from severe exhaustion and is down for the count. Sam hobbles over to him, barely able to make it himself, and picks Frodo up and cradles him in his arms. "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" and Sam proceeded to lead Frodo to destroy the Ring once and for all.
Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO1GPtNyPQU
After numerous times of being denied by Frodo, numerous times of coming within an inch of death, and after miles upon miles of clinging to Frodo and the relentless fight for himself not to be tempted by the power of the Ring, Sam has nothing but courage and hope for his friend and the world he lives in to be rid form the evil that enthralls it. Galatians 6:1-3 is even more true now that I have seen this relationship that Sam and Frodo share. I cannot say that I am of the caliber of Samwise Gamgee, but he is most definitely a man I strive to be for my friends, to lay down my life for them only to see them with me one day in paradise.
- Andy
Random Fact of the Day: Samwise Gamgee was born in the year 2980 of the Third Age, to Hamfast Gamgee his father. Sam was named Mayor of the Shire 7 times due to his heroics during the War of the Ring, and he was also (ironically) a gardener.
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