This weekend, I watched a delightful movie: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. The movie is based on a novel by Paul Gallico.
In the story, Mrs. Harris is a cleaning lady and a war widow living in London in the 1950’s. She is a simple, lower-class working woman, who has an improbable dream—to own a haute couture Christian Dior gown. At the time, such dresses were sold only from the offices of Dior in Paris where every dress was altered onsite to make a custom fit for the elegant ladies wealthy enough to purchase one.
It seems a strange thing for a cleaning woman to desire—a fabulous gown she can’t wear anywhere except an occasional dance at the local Royal British Legion. Mrs. Harris never explains why she wants the dress or why she would spend so much money to travel to Paris to buy one. It’s not like she had a tidy sum of money saved for future needs.
We’re left to wonder why Mrs. Harris was so fascinated by a fancy dress she would work so hard to get it. But perhaps that lets us put ourselves in her shoes and think about the things we’re working hard to achieve. Have you ever had an improbable dream? Have you ever spent time and money on something which everyone around you thought was a waste? I think I can relate.
What makes Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris an enjoyable movie isn’t watching a silly woman with an improbable dream. It’s watching an endearing woman who makes people around her feel important. She sees people in a way she would like to be seen. She listens in a way she would like to be heard. She acts on behalf of others in a way she would like people to act on her behalf. And we get to see the incredible power such simple acts can have.
At one point in the story, Mrs. Harris is asked why she, an invisible nobody, would want a dress designed to be seen. But Mrs. Harris isn’t as invisible as she seems at first. Her kindness, her dedication, and her loyalty are seen by anyone paying attention. That’s much more impressive than a haute couture dress, and much rarer too.
What this movie made me realize is that many people feel invisible—in their work, in their families or social circles, even in the church. We may feel unnoticed and unappreciated. We may think we have no power or influence. We may believe there is no place for us except to serve quietly in the background. But even the invisible people in the background have power in a million small ways.
When you smile at the young man at the grocery store bagging your food. When you give your full attention to the lady taking your order at a restaurant. When you send a quick text or email to tell someone you missed seeing them at church. When you serve your family faithfully. When you offer a friend—or a stranger—a helping hand.
In all these simple things, you have the power to affect people’s lives. It may be a small effect, lasting only a moment, or it might have a tremendous impact effecting a person’s eternity. Only God will know the true extent of our simple acts of kindness. We are never invisible to Him. And it doesn’t matter to Him if we are invisible to others. We still have a part to play in his Master Story. We still have others to serve in His name.
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45
Are you serving others in invisible ways? Can you dream of more ways to impact people’s lives? That’s a dream worth achieving!
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I’m in that quiet place now, I think. Mostly little one-on-one interactions, relatively insignificant…but they each feel so important to me. I feel like I’m doing what God wants me to with my time, and I’m so much more content walking alongside people than I am being the center of attention. Thanks for the affirming words.
Thank you for sharing that, Barb. I believe God blesses us for faithfulness in the small things, so keep doing what you’re doing!
Just last night my husband and I took all our cable equipment boxes to the vendor to cancel our service. We were polite, gracious, and even had moments of levity with the person who received us. At one point she thanked us for being her last customer of the day even though we were canceling our service with the company she worked for. She did hand us her business card and smiled with a wink saying, “You know you’ll be back. When you do ask for me.” Before we left she extended her hand to me and we shared blessings with each other.
We all have a “platform” that is more public than we realize. How we engage with another human has power to demonstrate God’s love more than we often know.
That is so true. Thank you for sharing your example.
Janet, I saw a trailer for this move a while back and thought it looked interesting. Now I’ve added it to my list. When the whole Church of Christ goes around doing these small acts, what a lasting impact we’ll make.
Thank you, Annie. I think that would be a marvelous impact!
Thank you for sharing your insights! I’ve seen clips for the movie online and thought it looked like a sweet story. I love your statement that “But even the invisible people in the background have power in a million small ways.” It’s so easy to feel forgotten or overlooked when we’re not the “important” one or the center of attention — I’ve certainly been there myself. Our actions and words go so far beyond what we might realize. Even if we never know the effect, the One we are following does.
Thank you, Leigh. I agree. It’s hard to feel overlooked, but we can remember that God sees us and has a purpose for us.
Thanks for this post, Janet. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to see this movie. Sounds like a nice time to see someone modeling what we should be. Film is a powerful medium. So is writing. Thanks for yours. God bless!
Thank you, Nancy! I hope you like the movie if you see it.
I love this message because I can really relate to her feelings. I hope to go see the movie soon.
When I feel invisible, I remember that God sees me and He is the most important One in my life.
That’s good to hear, Yvonne!
I have never heard of this movie. Sounds good. My husband was a pastor for more than 20 years and one church we served made me feel unseen. Each Sunday my three kids and I would go and never be spoken to. It was so strange and difficult. It taught me how it feels and that I don’t ever want to make anyone else feel that way.
Jennifer, I’m so sorry you felt invisible at a church where your husband was pastor. How awful for you and your kids. I hope you have found a better church home now.
Janet, I enjoyed your post and appreciate its message, especially this one: “We still have a part to play in his Master Story. We still have others to serve in His name.” Every act of kindness and every notice of another person blesses them and in turn, honors God and blesses us. Thank you.
Sounds like a wonderful movie. I hope she got the dress or had a different dream fulfilled. Yes, I have done things that others thought were strange–had dreams that others perceived as ridiculous. Thankfully, our Father doesn’t think our dreams are frivolous, although He may replace our dreams with something better of His choosing. Thank you for reminding us of the value of kindness and we can all make a difference.