ALL THIS FROM WATCHING A MOVIE?

Okay, I’m about to divulge a few of my secrets. Deb and I enjoy watching TV together almost every evening. We seek out clean, wholesome programming that doesn’t offend us and then tend to binge-watch until we’re caught up to current programming.

We also watch old movies that have proven the test of time.

We watch newer movies also, but select them very carefully. We’re not drawn to the improbable, unrealistic action movies that tend to mark this period.

One technique for finding good movies is to follow the career of an actor or actress that we have enjoyed in a movie. The hope is that if they made one good movie, perhaps they’ve made others.

I used this approach after watching a Christmas movie that we really enjoyed the other night [by the way, it’s early for us to be watching Christmas movies]. The movie that we watched and enjoyed was “A Kindhearted Christmas” [2021] starring Jennie Garth and Cameron Mathison. The plot was very low-key and believable. We were entranced as we watched. Both actors were admirable. It was a genuinely realistic ‘feel-good’ plot.

So – I looked to see other movies that Jennie had made. Lo and behold, there was an earlier movie [2013] that featured both Garth and Mathison: “Holidaze”. With high expectations, we started watching the movie full of hope. Within minutes she was in bed with a man and we faced our disappointment by quickly switching to something else!

But last night, I decided to try again and found another movie featuring Garth that was not a Christmas movie: “A Time To Dance” [2016]. What a powerful movie! I won’t divulge details – in case you want to view it – but it was an effective portrayal of a dynamic love story that had lost its glitter after twenty years. A couple that had made a lifelong commitment to each other finds themselves totally distracted and on the verge of a divorce that will shock everyone who knows them – including their two young adult kids!

Their pathway is painfully detailed as they try to protect their family from the awful reality of their failure in love! An extended period of pretending and the faithfulness of her father and a couple of trusted friends gives them the incentive to explore just what has happened to bring them to this point.

The answers are not easily found or faced! Pain is experienced – gut-wrenching pain! Disappointment and embarrassment are dealt with. Depression and disillusionment are experienced! Memories are explored. Confessions are made.  

This movie is believable! Untold couples have faced what is portrayed in this cinematic story! It is hope-restoring and offers excellent counsel while mapping a pathway to healing. I give this movie five Hal-‘stars’.

I made some personal determinations as a result of watching it that I will apply to my own marriage. Debbie and I have passed through a challenging four or five months due to her hip problems [and surgery]. Caring for her since mid-July has challenged each of us in different ways.

For example: every day I have to get down on my knees in front of her to put her socks on! A simple task that she cannot currently fulfill on her own! God is showing me that after a lifetime of serving me, it’s long overdue for me to serve her!

I’m also learning that I need to weigh my words before speaking them. I have resigned to an inactive period of my life, but she is deeply invested in the life of the church we attend. She is respected and appreciated there for her leadership and courage in a challenging season for the church. I could do more to facilitate her investment there.

All this – from watching a movie? Yep! If you keep your eyes and ears open, God will find a way to speak to you. He’s done it with me; He’ll do it with you, too!