Film Review: Bartholomew's Gift

If you are reading this review on the Sabbath, then I would like to wish you a Sabbath filled with the promise that God has given all of us a gift to use, for His glory.

This week’s review is for the documentary Bartholomew’s Gift.  

Description

An inspiring story of how one young man coped with his severe disability.

There were many aspects to this inspiring documentary.  The obvious one being the gift the Lord gave Bartholomew, for His glory.  According to the doctors who first treated Bartholomew, he should not have been able to walk, let alone become an accomplished piano player. I was amazed to see Bartholomew play the piano.  I used to play the piano and although I was a decent player, I stopped going to my piano lessons.  I have tried to learn the piano again, but it just hasn’t happened.  Watching Bartholomew reminds me how amazing it is to see the gifts God supplies, according to His will.

Bartholomew’s mother attributes everything to God and has a lot of inspiring reflections on how life was for her family in the face of the challenge of having a disabled child.  She refers to a Bible verse that can be found in Matthew 7 and Luke 11.

Matthew 7:7-11

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Luke 11:9:13

9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Bartholomew’s mother referred to the line that says, “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?”   I remember her saying that she had faith that Bartholomew was a gift from God, even though he was disabled - he was still a gift and would go on to do great things. She remembered the verse from Matthew from school, which shows how we can hide God’s promises in our hearts.

The other aspect of the film is the value of life and how God is our Creator.  Bartholomew’s mother, in her reverence for God, didn’t consider abortion or adoption.  Her baby was a gift from God and she had faith God would use him for great things, even though his body hadn’t formed the way it should have. 

It was also inspiring to hear what Bartholomew, his father and brother had to say. Having dedicated, Christian parents gave Bartholomew an anchor early in his life that is unmovable - an anchor in Jesus Christ.

This film is a wonderful reminder how God is faithful and draws closer to us when we draw closer to Him. It’s a reminder that God has a plan for each and every person, before they are born and freely gives each one a gift to be used for His glory.  

It was wonderful to see how God had given Bartholomew the personality that persisted in the face of adversary.  Bartholomew was described as a determined and independent boy - the right traits needed to deal with his disability and surge ahead to learn how to play instruments with hands that looked unable to make such delicate movements..  

Matthew 19:26 says, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Amen!

I watched Bartholomew’s Gift on the Vision Video website.

Thank you for reading this review.  Until next time - peace be with you.

Thumbnail: www.visionvideo.com

Documentary source:  www.visionvideo.com

Bartolomew’s ministry: https://www.breakinglimits.co.uk