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As You Wish

  • October 2, 2017
  • Posted by: Carolyn Mahal
  • Category: Devotions
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“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.” – Matthew 19:13-15

This week marked an important anniversary for movie buffs as “The Princess Bride” celebrated its 30th anniversary. Since it’s September 1987 release, the movie has been a cult classic. It is a love story told with an unusual comedic flair, along with “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…” and it’s delivered by an ensemble cast of actors, comedians, and even a professional wrestler.

If you’re a fan of the movie you’re probably already spouting off your favorite lines from the film like:

“No more rhymes now, I mean it.” “Anybody want a peanut?”

Or the Impressive Minister’s: “Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder today. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam…”

Or the classic: “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

In the midst of the funny quotes and memorable scenes, it is often lost that the movie is actually nothing more than the simple act of a grandfather reading a story to his grandson who is home, sick in bed. The director of the film uses this platform effectively throughout the movie. The grandfather’s reading of the story serves as an effective narration while his conversations with the boy provide additional humorous moments. But at the heart of it lies this family tradition of reading this book to the kids when they were sick to help pass the time until they felt better.

In today’s world this seems antiquated. The movie jokes about the practice of reading books as being old, but imagine if the film were shot in today’s world. The grandfather would be talking to the child on Skype while sending him some online currency so that the boy could download the story and watch it acted out in virtual reality.

Not quite the same, is it?

There is something to be said for taking the time to sit with a child and read with them. Reading to a child from an early age will help to develop the child’s language skills and foster a desire for the child to become a lifelong reader. More importantly, it also helps create a bond between the adult and child that will create memories which last a lifetime and a tradition that can be passed down for generations.

Is it any wonder that God has called on us to follow this same model when it comes to the instruction of our children? Jesus’s rebuke of the disciples who felt that He was too important to waste his time on a group of kids gave a clear message that while His love was for everyone, it was especially important for those children.

Today, God’s word remains critically important for our children. The more opportunities we take to teach the word of God to our children, the more likely it will be that they will know it and apply it to help them through the many obstacles they will face in life. King Solomon, who was known for the great wisdom He was given by God, wrote in Proverbs 22:6 that if we, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” To ignore the spiritual needs of a child or to let the world help them figure things out on their own would be, as a self-proclaimed genius like Fazzini might say: “Inconceivable!”

We give thanks to God for His true and unending love and for the chance to share it to His children in our lives. In return, may we follow God’s will for our lives, telling our Lord daily that will live our lives, “As You Wish.”

 

Devotion by Richard Schumacher

LSEM Director of Programs & Services