In Honor of Mothers...
"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired...be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
Mother Teresa
Happy Mother's Day and thank you for your continued, tireless love!

Weighing in on American Idol

Well, we haven't really mentioned American Idol yet in this year's blog...maybe it's because we're still mourning the loss of Melinda--just a little. There is just no one quite like her with the combination of her powerful voice and gentle humility. But, if we were to say who our favorites are this season--which is obviously really the reason we're writing this blog--it would have to be David A and Brooke. Actually, those are mine (Sissy's). I think Melissa, in addition, is actually joining the ranks of women who are becoming David Cook fans...very understandably. So, that's it. We wait with baited breath to see if Brooke will get kicked off. And we still wish for a little Funny Valentine along the way. I guess we'll see what Neil Diamond has to say tomorrow...

A City on A Hill

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 4:15
This is a city on a hill in the Cinque Terre region of Italy...5 cities on 5 hills to be exact...right next to the ocean. We've just come back from a week of traveling through, and being reminded of the offering of courage and grace he calls us to with these words.

Definitely Not

So, we're not officially movie critics....we're just counselors who go see movies. That being said, we've definitely got one we'd like to critique. Definitely Maybe looks like a cute romantic comedy with the endearing and precocious Abigail Breslin. Well, this movie may have made her even more precocious. In the movie, her well-meaning, rambling father way over-explains his history with women. Really. Way over explains.
We talk to parents regularly about not telling your children stories about your childhood/teenage/or even adult acting like a teenager types of mistakes. It doesn't help them relate to you or even make them give themselves more grace when they mess up. Depending on their age, it either terribly disappoints them or gives them a get out of jail free card. Abigail's character is at an age where children think very concretely. They believe their parents are superheroes. And they want them to be. Obviously, you are not. Your children will see you fail, which really is a great time to teach them about grace. But they need to believe that you are strong and trustworthy and respectable. One day, you can talk to them about these things. But it is hard to convince any child that something is not a good choice for them when it has been a fine choice for you. His "practicing" is a prime example.
Most teenagers who ask are really just wanting license. A girl who knew her parents were drug users in high school once told us that her parents turned out fine and so would she. Unfortunately, that happens more often than not.
The other point that we would like to critique is the ending of the movie. (Sorry if you're going to see it). In the afternoon, Abigail is desperately trying to get her parents back together. This is what literal thinking girls do--ala The Parent Trap. We have talked to girls whose parents are divorced and remarried to other people who are still trying to figure out how to reunite them. Abigail's character in the span of several hours moves from grieving the divorce to helping match-make for her dad. Maybe this is because she has just learned that he is such a mess that she feels like she needs to have some adult in the house. But, it is sending out the wrong message. Children grieve divorce. It creates confusion, sorrow, anger, and often insecurity...even if they're not talking about it.
Thankfully, God redeems. He redeems divorce. He redeems any of us who, as adults, act like adolescents at times. Maybe we should say all of us, as adults, who act like adolescents. But we don't have to watch it on the big screen.
We went to this movie believing it was a cute romantic comedy. We left concerned about what it was communicating about kids. They want to respect their parents. They need to believe in a God who redeems their mistakes and yours...maybe just save the biggies till they're a little older than cute little Abigail.

An Unlikely President

So, I was in the car with a group of 7th and 8th graders tonight and the conversation inevitably turned to politics. Okay, maybe not inevitably. But this happens to be an unusually bright group of 7th and 8th grade girls. They were going through their concerns about each of the candidates. These were their comments:
"I like Clinton, but I'm concerned about her health care policies."
"I like Clinton and am ready for a woman to be in the white house."
"I wish I could vote for Obama."
"Obama disagrees with himself all of the time."
"My family and I are republicans."
"My family and I are swing voters. We believe it's about the candidate not the political party."
The conversation turned from there to illegal immigrants and welfare.
The entire time, I was smiling to myself in the front seat feeling very impressed with the maturity of these girls.
And then...
"Wouldn't it be funny if we could have an inanimate object as President."
(Laughter all around)
"Yeah, like cheese. I'm voting for Mr. Cheese this year."
And so, we digress. And 7th grade is 7th grade is 7th grade after all--and awfully entertaining!

"If the reality of God were small enough to be grasped , it would not be great enough to be adored."
Evelyn Underhill
Lent began for us with a week in just one facet--one beautiful, majestic facet of God's reality--the mountains. What a reminder of his power walking into this season of Lent--which is a tremendous reminder of his provision. We're glad to be in this Lenten season with you. May it be a time of rich reflection.
Sissy and Melissa

You and Your Girl-2008

Fredericksburg, Virginia...Spartanburg, South Carolina...Orlando, Florida...Lexington, Kentucky. Any ideas what these cities have in common? (We did kind of give you a hint in the title to this blog.) You guessed it...they're all hosting Lifeway's You and Your Girl events in 2008. We wanted to let you all know that we will be at each of these--speaking to middle and high school girls and their moms. If you live nearby, we'd love for you to join us. It's a great event with fun, worship, and lots of interesting speakers!:) You will learn more about each other and how to love and live as God has called us to.
For more information, go to www.lifeway.com.