Tinker Bell

I’m thinking about Tinker Bell this morning…not the scantily clad tiny blonde of Disney’s animated creation, or even the glowing but rather stout fairy described by J. M. Barrie in his original story Peter Pan. I will always associate Tinker Bell with the ground-breaking television drama that first appeared as a live production in 1956 and continued as an annual re-broadcast for many years. In this classic video version, Tinker Bell, a glowing ball of light skitters and flits through the scenery. Just as in Barrie’s story, she communicates only with her special friend Peter in small bell–like sounds interpreted by Peter for the mere mortals who sit before the screen, entranced by her magical presence.

Tinker Bell brings light to the play in many ways beyond the visually captivating orb that flickers and flies: by her loyalty and friendship; by her impish sense of fun; by her bad moods; and especially by the way she risks her life to save Peter from the diabolical Captain Hook and his nefarious plots to kill Peter Pan.

One of the most delightful parts of the story and the television adaptation occurs when Mary Martin, a la Peter Pan breaks the “fourth wall” and turn to the audience to assist her in saving Tinker Bell. Tinker Bell is quickly dying, poisoned by the potion meant to kill Peter. Her last brave act will, we all fear, be a fatal one. “Do you believe in fairies?” Peter asks us, looking directly through the screen to the unseen audience, urging the young and the young at heart to show their belief in fairies—“Then clap!” urges Peter. As the sound of clapping begins to flow magically over the television waves, Tinker Bell’s inner light begins to glow and grow. The clapping grows louder, and the fading ball of light grows bright and sure and strong. Tinker Bell once again soars and zooms over the screen. As a young child, I remember being riveted to the small black and white screen in my living room, desperately clapping as hard as I could to save Tink–and Peter and Wendy and the Lost Boys– from grief and disaster. It is hard to imagine anyone witnessing this touching scene without feeling some sort of warm fuzzy as the power of faith and love are victorious once again.

But creating feel good moments is not really what I ponder all these many years later, and fairies and pixie dust, while lovely, make-believe images, seem a rather odd way to expand my spiritual explorations. Making a leap between Tinker Bell and the spirit of God, however, is entirely logical today– a connecting the dots, other-shoe-dropping moment that grabs me as I think about the way that Tinker Bell’s spirit was restored. As often happens during my morning devotional time, leaps across genres, across memories, between past present and future seem to appear as if by a fairy’s magic. My mind leaps, and I recall the words read a few months ago in a church bulletin, penned by Teresa of Avila, who wrote so touchingly about the presence of God in her life. “ …when I tried to shame myself once more from his presence, God showed me his compassion and spoke a divine truth, “I made you, dear, and all I make is perfect. Come closer, dear, for I desire you.” It is the last part of this Love Poem from God that clicks with me as I think about the spirit and the ways to keep God’s presence near. “Come closer, dear…” Aah, God is here, and desires me, but I must be the one to come closer, as God is always as near as I allow GOD to be. I am urged to “draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22 a). For Tinker Bell’s light and life to be saved, some action, some movement, had to occur. People, even a small pig-tailed, scrawny little girl, had to take part in rescuing this tiny bit of life. Clapping and clapping, little by little, faith was communicated and grew until Tinker Bell’s spirit became once more a vital force.

It is the idea of drawing near that I am called to as the sun begins to peek over the horizon. Drawing near that makes the unconventional connection between a children’s story and my own spiritual growth. Drawing near is movement…. Drawing near is volition… Drawing near is a deliberate and careful choice. Deepening the relationship with God cannot be only a one-sided waiting for God to appear, whatever that may mean. It cannot only be a sudden visitation that grips me without conscious effort on my part, even though there are times when Spirit works in this way. Today I am reminded that I have a role in this play of life, the part of faith and hope and deliberate choices on my part to move closer to God. The time set aside for devotion of necessity requires an action, a measure of faith on my part as I seek to come closer to the Light that is God. Much of Barrie’s play is, I discover, about faith, and hope, and action. In the words of Peter Pan… “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” Faith and hope and action… Clapping, clapping, clapping…. I’m coming closer, God. I’m drawing near. I await your light. I see it growing. Soon, perhaps, I will glow and grow brighter as I reflect your power.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith… Hebrews 10:22a

Reflection Questions:

How does the idea of drawing near to the Spirit of God connect to your current spiritual practices?

Think about a time when the support of others helped your own faith to grow stronger. What are some things they did or said that made a difference to you?