Good for the Soul?

Hi! Hope everyone had a great weekend! In our area, it was just Spring Break for the school children. I used to homeschool my son, but he is in a public middle school now. I did not realize how much I had grown used to my "kid-free" time until this past week! Of course, whenever there is some sort of school break, all of my past childcare clients and most parents of Zach's current friends, start reserving time at our house. So, to be fair, my chaotic week was not entirely due to my own child! So, after spending the week coordinating things for kids to do on rainy days (yes, it rained all spring break!) and preparing endless meals and snacks, I decided my son and I needed some quiet time together. Alone. Away from the doorbell and phone.

What better place to hide away than a dark movie theater? Ok, so there were several new movies out this past weekend, but really only two choices
for a Christian mom and pre-teen boy. "Hop" is an animated tale (and tail?) about a young man and a rabbit who wants to be the Easter bunny. "Soul Surfer" is a tear-jerker based on the real-life story of Bethany Hamilton, the young surfer who lost one of her arms in a shark attack. Although I shouldn't have been, I was surprised my son chose the surfer movie.

Well, let me say that it was a very good movie! Zach said it was the best movie he had seen in a long time. Quite an honor from a boy into the action-packed super hero movies of the past few years! Bethany's story has been public for awhile, but we hadn't really read or watched much about it. After seeing the movie, I have researched more about her story and her life. I am quite impressed with this young lady! Her physical courage is great, but nothing compares to her spiritual convictions, faith, and humble spirit. These things are more obvious in her real life than in the movie, but the actors did an amazing job walking a difficult line in the film.

I read alot of negative feedback from critics and bloggers. Words like "cheesy" and "fluff" came up many times. Did they watch the same movie I did? I saw incredible strength, endurance and loving commitment. Not just in Bethany but also the other characters in her life. I was deeply moved by this movie and by Bethany herself. My son says this movie completely changed how he looks at life. He is 13 years old and wants to give away his allowance to children suffering from the recent earthquakes and tsunamis. It's only been a couple of days, but he SAYS this story inspired him to stop complaining about what he can't do and to do his chores less grudgingly. We will see.

For devout Christians, this movie may not have gone far enough in depicting the family's faith. For non-believers, it may have been too "preachy", I guess. For me, it was a good balance. Sure, it could have had even more scenes of prayer or family devotion time, for example. But then, how many "main-stream" kids or "secular" parents would have sat through it? They got the story and the message out to a bigger audience while still giving God, and Bethany's faith in Him, the credit for her amazing "comeback. That's a huge step in the right direction.

Did anybody see this movie? What do you think?

Scripture Reference:
Psalm 34:4
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears."