Regent University School of Udnergraduate Studies

Friday, July 20, 2007

I'd like you to meet God...

Every summer my daughter, Joanna, and her girlfriends have Fun Fridays - each week the girls do something fun together at one house or another. This week the girls wanted to see "Evan Almighty" in the theater, and they made their plans especially to include Yvonne.

I admit - I stressed a bit about their movie choice. Plugged In gave it a positive nod overall, but noted a few scriptural glitches that could be confusing. I wasn't sure it was such a good idea for her to see that movie. I prayed on and off today, and felt the Lord telling me to relax, and reminding me about the conversations the girls can have sometimes, and how God could use them to witness to Yvonne just through being who they are.

In the van Yvonne asked what the movie was about. So all of us, talking at once, told her about the story of Noah and the ark, the flood and the animals. She had heard the story before, and we explained that this movie was using that story in the present day, sort of a "what if?". The girls joked about Morgan Freeman playing God.

Then she looked at me and asked, "Who is God?"
Now, we only live about four miles from the theater... not enough time to get into deep conversation.
I'm shell-shocked, trying to think of the best way to explain, not wanting to mess this up!
I told her that it was kinda complicated and we'd talk about it later.
Coward!
My DH pipes up and says, "It's not complicated at all. Before the earth and the sun, moon, stars and planets there was God. And He made it all...." Nine year old Lynne chimes in, "He made us, too!" From that point on, everyone was adding their two cents to the story of creation.
Yvonne smiled and said "I understand. God is everywhere." The girls encouraged her some more and chattered the rest of the ride.

I sat there and could feel God whispering in my ear, "See? Not so hard."
Simple.
A story. Child-like.

The movie was really funny. I really cringed only once at a politically correct representation of scripture, but overall it was really good.

Most important is the door of conversation that has swung wide. I know these girls - this isn't the end of the discussion. :o)

1 comment:

Kenn Tomasch said...

I saw the movie with my kids. I thought it was very positive, especially the scene where He speaks to Lauren Graham in the restaurant and makes her understand how He works. :)

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