You've Got Mail -- He Pursues with Actions!

Joe Fox not only pursued Kathleen with written messages, but also pursued her with his actions in their face-to-face encounters. He happens to be at the grocery store when she is caught in the “cash only” check out line with only a credit card. He gallantly steps in and convinces the clerk to accept her Visa. Even when she delivers a particularly scathing remark, he not only graciously turns the other cheek, but also calmly puts his personal feelings aside and compliments her on the craftiness of her insult.

“That was a perfect blend of poetry and meanness.”
-- Joe

The most poignant scene of the movie, in my opinion, is when Joe once-and-for-all decides to pursue Kathleen with his actions. To the lively beat of Stevie Wonder’s 1970 hit, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m yours” he shows up at her doorstep with a bouquet of daisies in hand.

This is the turning point of the film, for up to this point, Joe is not sure what to do about his conflicting feelings for Shopgirl/Kathleen Kelly. After this point, he is determined to win her over. He knows he must win her in the here-and-now rather than just in cyber-space. And so he decides to put his love into action. He is determined to pursue her and win her in spite of the fact that she hates Joe Fox as ardently as she loves NY152.

This flat-out, single-minded purpose in pursuing his true love parallels an image of Jesus found in scripture:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with loving kindness.”

Jeremiah 31:3

Joe does more than just show up. He proceeds to draw her to himself with acts of loving-kindness. In spite of her protests, he slips in through the front door of her apartment building when another tenant opens the door. When he gets to her apartment, he finds her quite sick with a cold. He places the bouquet of her favorite flowers into a vase, and proceeds to prepare her a cup of hot tea with honey. She had not asked him to, but he anticipated her need in advance.

Our Heavenly Father anticipates our needs in advance too:

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Matthew 6:8

To say, at this point in the story, Kathleen is less than impressed with Joe Fox would be a huge understatement. However, he understands the hostility in her heart towards him comes from being put out of business by his own Fox Books. So, with great patience and compassion, he prevents her from saying something nasty. He knows she will only regret it later, so he gently places his fingertips over her lips and stops her from talking.

Joe loved Kathleen enough to prevent her from doing something that would only hurt her more than it would hurt him. Jesus loves you like that.

Readers: Have you ever said something you later deeply regretted? What would you say to that person now?