My husband asked me when I thought would be a good age to let our 9 year old watch “The passion of the Christ”. My immediate answer was NEVER! I can barely sit through that movie without being completely devastated. Come to think of it, I told him rather passionately, even your 78 year old mother has a hard time with it. No. She can NEVER watch it. EVER. He accepted what I was saying because he is a wise man and wouldn’t think to argue with an overprotective mama bear who hasn’t had her morning coffee yet. But after he left the room I really thought about my words. NEVER. I don’t ever want my baby girl to be devastated by the ugly bloody mess that Jesus endured for us. And then it was like each of those words became a puzzle piece connecting together to make a clear picture. Forgiveness. The word as fresh as a white sheet blowing in the summer wind. Do I want my daughter to understand the fullness of that word? Yes! Even if it causes some devastation? Deep breath. Yes.
I want her to have the complete picture.
Maybe the Passion of the Christ is not an appropriate movie for kids, in fact I think it’s Restricted so for sure not something we would allow, but the question of it’s content has made me think about how much we share with our kids and how much we hold back because we want to try and protect them.
In bed we give thanks for everything in our little world, and I say a silent prayer for my girls to have the complete picture of forgiveness...mess and all, but the mama in me wants desperately to add "please don't make it hurt" I want to be the boss. To be the one to get to shield their eyes and protect their hearts and say NO to scary movies. I want the last word. I do.
I pull 2 quilts over 2 little girls, kiss their heads and hear that ever so soft whisper say: "My plan. My timing." and I understand that as the mother of these precious ones, my job is not to be the boss...my real job is to listen to their maker...the one who holds the complete picture in His hands.
Ephesians 1:7-10 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
