Life is not an emergency. Life's a gift. Just Slow.
Despite the busy-ness of this week, we were able to catch The Hunger Games at the movie theatre on Sunday afternoon. The decision to go watch this movie wasn't an easy one to make, on my part. I had deep reservations about the plot, its dark nature, its disturbing aspects, its underlying messages.
I spent Thursday night reading a whole slew of reviews both from Christian and non-Christian perspectives and after discussing it with hubby, we agreed to take the kids to watch this movie knowing that come Monday morning, everyone at school will be talking about it.
As expected, I was deeply disturbed... a good kind of disturbed though, I suppose. The economic injustice and the brutality of poverty that is depicted in the movie greatly disturbed me. Why? Because it mirrors reality!
Several thoughts kept coming to mind... thoughts like: Have we, as a society, become numb {just like the citizens of the Capitol} to the reality of poverty? Has alleviating poverty become just a fad to us? A cool and trendy thing to do? Do we respond to injustice only if it doesn't require us to sacrifice anything? Do we treasure our comfort at the expense of the oppressed?
At the dinner table, we were able to have a good discussion about these thoughts with our kids. Having had the opportunity to explore these thoughts with them was good. I came out of it relieved. Why? Because I found out that both my kids weren't entertained by the movie at all. They were disturbed too... the good kind of disturbed.
How about you? Will you be taking your kids to watch The Hunger Games? If you have older kids (age 12+) or have kids who are mature for their age, I do recommend taking them. It's a great segue to discussing with them about why we, as Christ-followers, need to keep doing our part in giving and sharing HOPE to those who are oppressed.
If you do go catch this movie, I hope you aren't entertained either. ;-)
:: His sustaining grace on this busy week.
:: A good start to my boy's basketball season at school.
:: My girl's awesome progress report!
:: Hearing my girl's teachers praise her not just for her academic achievements, but her as a person!
:: Delivering snacks to UrbanPromise's Camp Freedom!
:: My boy reading the book Do Hard Things.
:: A friend and his son coming over for dinner.
:: Baking and icing cupcakes!
:: A get-together with my sisters and their families.
:: Awesome Sunday morning at church.
:: 277 pounds of food for our church's Easter Food Drive with one more Collection Day to go!
:: Giving more towards the Horn of Africa drought relief.
:: Deep conversations with my kids about hard things and God-things!
Happy Monday, friends!
I spent Thursday night reading a whole slew of reviews both from Christian and non-Christian perspectives and after discussing it with hubby, we agreed to take the kids to watch this movie knowing that come Monday morning, everyone at school will be talking about it.
As expected, I was deeply disturbed... a good kind of disturbed though, I suppose. The economic injustice and the brutality of poverty that is depicted in the movie greatly disturbed me. Why? Because it mirrors reality!
Several thoughts kept coming to mind... thoughts like: Have we, as a society, become numb {just like the citizens of the Capitol} to the reality of poverty? Has alleviating poverty become just a fad to us? A cool and trendy thing to do? Do we respond to injustice only if it doesn't require us to sacrifice anything? Do we treasure our comfort at the expense of the oppressed?
At the dinner table, we were able to have a good discussion about these thoughts with our kids. Having had the opportunity to explore these thoughts with them was good. I came out of it relieved. Why? Because I found out that both my kids weren't entertained by the movie at all. They were disturbed too... the good kind of disturbed.
How about you? Will you be taking your kids to watch The Hunger Games? If you have older kids (age 12+) or have kids who are mature for their age, I do recommend taking them. It's a great segue to discussing with them about why we, as Christ-followers, need to keep doing our part in giving and sharing HOPE to those who are oppressed.
If you do go catch this movie, I hope you aren't entertained either. ;-)
By compassion we make others' misery our own, and so, by relieving them, we relieve ourselves also.The movie has reiterated to me anew just how blessed we are... how our lives must become the very blessings we have received. As I continue counting grace-gifts, these are the things I am thankful for this week... #1315 - #1327:
~ Thomas Browne.
:: His sustaining grace on this busy week.
:: A good start to my boy's basketball season at school.
:: My girl's awesome progress report!
:: Hearing my girl's teachers praise her not just for her academic achievements, but her as a person!
:: Delivering snacks to UrbanPromise's Camp Freedom!
:: My boy reading the book Do Hard Things.
:: A friend and his son coming over for dinner.
:: Baking and icing cupcakes!
:: A get-together with my sisters and their families.
:: Awesome Sunday morning at church.
:: 277 pounds of food for our church's Easter Food Drive with one more Collection Day to go!
:: Giving more towards the Horn of Africa drought relief.
:: Deep conversations with my kids about hard things and God-things!
Happy Monday, friends!
May you be looking forward, as I am... to a week of becoming to others the very blessings that we have received!
The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world.
Soaring into this new week with you, friends... acting justly, loving mercy, walking humbly with God!
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Unwrapping more of His love in this world.
Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!
Our Dakota went to see it Friday night... I have reservations too! Thanks for your review. Praying for your schedule as it grows busier... we are not playing spring sports this year... very thankful for more time at home!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your grace gifts!
Hugs, Teena
Thanks, Teena, for your prayers!
DeleteOops I was signed in under Lysa!
ReplyDelete:(
Much love,
Teena
Hi neighbor...good thoughts on the movie....love the perspective of thankfulness ...my daughter is waiting to see it...
ReplyDeleteWow! You hit the nail on the head with the Hunger Games. That's why I've been finding the series so riveting. There are so many parallels to our world today. If I could convince my boy not to see it without his sister, Dad, and I, I would, but I know he already has plans to see it with youth group friends. Some of them may be here for supper later though, so I will have to ask them the questions you asked. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Deborah
I hope you had an opportunity to dialogue with your boy and his friends after the movie! Lots of good and deep things can come out of such conversations.
DeleteJust walking ... slow with you today.
ReplyDeleteSplashing around in God's goodness today ... Had to stop by and wade in this glorious place. Hope you don't mind if I stay a bit and let joy soak deep down.
Splashin'
Sarah
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/
Thanks for dropping by today, Sarah! Yes, God is always good... so glad you are splashing around in it today too. :-)
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