The "off script" family | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The "off script" family | Previous Challenge Entry
By Douglas Eckert
01/23/16
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The "off script" family -

One of my favorite kind of movies to watch, and I think this kind of movie could almost be a movie genre all its own; this genre I'd call "the dysfunctional family reunion " movie.

You know the formula:
It usually involves a recent illness or death of a parent bringing a dysfunctional,estranged ( or divided) family back together to deal with this hand in life that has been dealt to them. This ultimately leads to a redemption/ forgiveness/resurgance of family love and togetherness.
Usually childhood friend(s), and/or an adolescent past boyfriend/girlfriend of a family member show up to antagonize the family and stir up old, suppressed feelings AND the plot. Much humour and many touching, poignant moments also usually ensue.

I can understand why we can enjoy this kind of movie. We all can certainly relate to THIS on some level... the addicted sibling, or the goofy brother, the bitter sister, the ornery father, the overprotective mother or even our own not yet let go forgiveness of a sibling or parent, as examples. All the different kinds of quirks that make EVERY family a
unique family.

But one obvious thing that I've noticed is that, unlike the movies, we don't always have those "perfect" characters in our lives who say that "perfect thing" at the "perfect time", or even act in the way the movies tell us they are supposed to act or react. We don't always have that beautifully redemptive, or touching moment of forgiveness or reconcilliation.
We most certainly don't have the perfectly fitting, in-tune with the moment soundtrack playing in the background of OUR lives. ( Though I'm struck with the idea that the relationship we have with OUR Lord, and our leaning on HIS Word is a much better analogous "in-tune soundtrack to our lives". )

I know I'm probably not alone in sometimes feeling somehow inferior or lacking as compared to the beautiful "larger than life" characters on the big screen . But we should remember that OUR lives AREN'T scripted, or written by brilliant screenplay writers.

We have to remember that God loves the REAL Us, just How HE made US.
And Everyone in our family IS created to be a magical,redeemed, beautiful, forgiven and loved part of God's family .

OUR family on this earth can ultimately (though through many travails) REALLY BE "larger than life" if we let Jesus, the ultimate Creator, the Author and the Finisher write the script of our lives.

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