Courageous

MightyMO, the girls and I watched the movie Courageous this weekend. The movie was excellent, and very emotional.  Since I am the queen of cry, I cried. A LOT.  Cinematically,  there were a few scenes that weren't as "professional" as most modern day feature films.   Mainly, I thought a few of the actors were kind of stiff.  Nothing major, though.  It wasn't like going to an elementary school play or anything. 

Story wise, very good.  Morally, EXCELLENT.

I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone of the two people who might read this, but the 'moral' of the story is clear in each preview.  This is about fathers following assuming their Biblical roles in the family.  There is talk in the movie (and in life) of the impact on society of children being raised without fathers, or a strong father figure, in their lives. This movie takes it a step further.  It's not just about being a good father, it's about being a courageous father. It's about being an accountable father.

Now, I have some friends and family who are not sure about Christianity.  I even have some that outright don't believe.  And while I would take issue with that on any day, I will say this: The principals of "fathering" presented in this movie apply whether you are a Jesus following Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, or agnostic or anything else.  This movie lays out the responsibilities of fathering. And whether or not you turn to the Bible for guidance, the fundamental responsibilities of being a father apply. Don't take it lightly.

Some of you know why this movie hit so close to home for me. I won't go into that today, but I will say that I don't know many men who are the fathers that they are called to be. In fact, I think many men shy away from any situation that might leave them accountable for their parenting beyond a superficial level.

I think that was one thing that most impressed me about the movie -- the "group" of male friends that was portrayed. Why are so many men afraid to have real friends? Why do they fear conversation? And why do they shy away from revealing anything about themselves? Why do they find it "weak" to let people know the real person? What is it they are trying to hide?  Why do they not want anyone to know they are "human"?


I recently listened to a radio broadcast on Christian radio where the the topic was parenting.  It suggested having a conversation with your kids where you litterally ask them about the example you are setting, and the level of influence.  So I asked my girls if they thought MightyMo and I were good spiritual influences in their lives. I asked if they saw us as good examples.  I get to toot my own horn a little, because my girls "complimented" me.  In not so many words, they said I talk-the-talk AND walk-the-walk. They also recognized areas that I need to work on - like too easily letting my feelings spill over from situations and influence the way I treat them.  IE:  If I have a bad day, they know it by how I treat them. They know I am human, and that humans have flaws, and that they can be overcome.  I think, in a nutshell, it takes more courage to expose your weaknesses than just about anything else.

I am not sure how to close this post.  I know I've kind of rambled. The end result is that the movie challenged me in ways that I did not expect to be challenged. It has stayed with me, at least for a few hours, and I find it sobering.  I pray that it is affecting others in a similar way.