When I was growing up we had a weekly tradition that we called "Closure". It would take place on sunday and sort of finish off the week. What is closure? well, all 11 of us (a blended family) would gather in the living room after dinner on sunday. One by one each person was encuraged to share something they learned either that day in church, sometime over the last week, or even just their lifetime. Only if you wanted to. Once you were done, sharing would be passed to the next person. This was not a time to correct, debate, or lecture. It was simply a time to share what you had learned. Some times they were very brief, even one word. Partly because with that many teenagers you should know at least a few want to hurry up and get on with it, and also because thats just how some did it. Others would share longer thoughts.




I would like this to be a place where Closure can take place. Please share Something you have learned. If you are not an auther on the blog, but wish to share, just post what you have learned as a comment on my last post.

-Tali

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Heroes and Villains

Todd and I watched the new Sherlock Holmes movie last night, and afterward had a discussion about heroes and villains. We determined that what makes the difference in whether a character becomes a hero or a villain is the choice they make when faced with trial. Batman saw his parents murdered. Spider-man couldn't prevent his uncle from being killed. The Penguin was bullied as a child, and an outcast in his family. Darth Vader was tempted by the Dark Side. In this life, we all have or will face some kind of trial, and each of us has a choice to become a Hero or a Villain. We can choose to let it become part of us, turning us angry, bitter, resentful, damaging our spirit, or we can chose to learn from it, and become more loving, empathetic, humble and charitable. The thing that makes a difference in real life is realizing that the choice is ours.

I know this by experience. As a teen, I received this as personal revelation to me during a particular trial. Todd is now faced with this choice as he recovers from his stroke, and I'm grateful that he's making the right choice. He is my Hero.

2 comments:

king bacon2 said...

That is a wonderful way of explaining it. Thank you. I hope that I make the right choice when I am presented with something like that. Love ya!

Camilla said...

I love how you put this amy. I am going to read it to porter tomorrow, as i think he would appretiate the gospel in relation to all his favorite heroes and villains. I agree that we cant chose what trials we have.. but we always hav e achoice to react to them. You are a hero to me ames.. you always are so posative and cheerful. I loved being in your home and feeling the spirit from you and todd. You both amaze me!