Movie Night

We watched the movie Bolt with our kids tonight. I love Disney movies; lots of action, good plot, humor for both children and adults, and always a happy ending. One thing I have noticed, however, most of the time, these movies are lacking one thing, a father. There is a mom, but very rarely a dad. And if there is a dad, he's lazy, clueless, or helpless and needs the kids to rescue him. Not exactly the picture God paints in the Bible.

You see, the world wants little girls to know they can do or become anything they want. What a shame it doesn't teach them they are not supposed to be just anything they want. It doesn't tell them the hard truth that they are easily deceived, fragile, and in need of protection. We are not helpless, but fragile. I think of a woman like a fine china cup, and a man like a strong coffee mug. Both are effective and used for the same purpose. But one can take a whole lot more banging around than the other. God designed men and women differently; Equally, but very differently. It is not God's design for a woman to lead a man in a relationship. But instead, it is His design for the wife to submit to the husband. "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church..." Ephesians 5:22-23a Too often, Hollywood portrays the wife as the "smart" and "strong" one in a relationship. She has to figure out or fix all the problems and dilemmas. This is considered normal, and just comes with the territory of being a woman. Plaeeeeeezzzze. Spare me. I am so thankful I don't have to figure it all out. I can mess some stuff up, let me tell you.

Now, before I go on, I know there are single mothers out there, as well as single dads. I believe God equips these special people with what they need to fulfill His purposes. It has to be difficult to play both parenting roles, as well as providing for the family. I think of relatives in my family in this situation, and I stand amazed at how strong they are.

Even being a single mom or dad, you still have the opportunity to teach your children how to submit to authority, or lead a family. Even though both verbs denote action, they are also an attitude of the heart. Submission and authority are responses to an obedient heart, and obedience is a choice.

So, while Hollywood and Pixar continue to keep us entertained, don't miss the chance to use the stories and lives they present to teach the truth to those precious children in your life. The movie may only last an hour and a half, but Lord willing, the lessons will remain a lifetime. "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6