{Love’s Everlasting Courage DVD Review and Giveaway…}
{10} “Love’s Everlasting Courage” shows the importance, strength and power of the family bond. When Clark (Wes Brown) and Ellen (Julie Mond) experience a drought completely beyond their control, Clark’s parents, Lloyd (Bruce Boxleitner) and Irene (Cheryl Ladd) immediately and selflessly offer their help. Although Clark and Ellen initially tried to keep his parent’s at arm’s length, appreciating their offer but denying it, they eventually welcomed their help and comfort. What a beautiful example of Christian love demonstrated, needed and welcomed.
{9} During a time when wives/mothers gave and invested the majority of their time at home instead of the workplace, Ellen gladly seeks an outside job to help make up the family deficit caused by the drought. Her heart is beautifully on display when she gently coaxes Clark to allow her to do so without indicting him or sulking because she needs to do so. Her spirit takes me to Galatians 5:22,23 (ESV) “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
{8} Shortly after taking a job as a seamstress in town, Ellen comes down with Scarlet Fever. Sadly, her illness takes her life within a short amount of time. The grace she brandishes when leaving her earthly family to join her heavenly one is admirable. She strives to protect those she loves from catching the illness all the while trying to capture last-minute moments with each of them. Her thoughts stay on others ~ their well-being and welfare. She loves them with a protective and everlasting love as commanded in John 13;34 (NKJV) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
{7} Clark, devastated by the loss of his wife, reluctantly leans on his parents. His parents gently tightrope walk offering help while making sure not to push themselves into their lives. Each careful step is wrapped with loving encouragement, salt of the earth aid, and wise words from scripture.
{6} Day after day, Clark and his father search for water. A bank loan is about to be called which would turn their home and land over to the bank. They must find water to so to nourish the land producing a crop. As they strategically pursue a natural well of water deep beneath the surface, Clark struggles keeping the faith. I related well. Not with well digging, but with a lack of understanding. “Why, Father, why?” With his father by his side pointing to his Father above, they press on, choosing to believe, choosing to trust in their Heavenly Father.
{5} After losing her mother, Missy (Morgan Lily), feels the need to do more, be more helpful around the homestead. Her eagerness, however, tragically leads to her nearly burning the house down while trying to fry chicken. In response, a response birthed out of fear and frustration, her daddy spoke in such a strong way it seemed to surprise even him. In turn, Missy ran off shaken and sad. Realizing his first reaction shook her to the degree it did, Clark made sure to find and console Missy. He stressed his fear and concern, but lovingly did so. As a parent, I’ve been there. I’m so startled by an incident I fly off, addressing the situation much more harshly than even I expected. Thankfully, the sweet whisper of the Spirit speaks into me directing me to speak into my son. The behavior must be addressed, but lovingly so.
{4} Once the fire is extinguished, charred wood remained. Now, where a loving home once stood, hailed a barely recognizable black structure. A seemingly hopeless situation quickly turned. Off in the distance, Clark and his family saw friends and neighbors heading their direction. As they neared their home, they could see wagons loaded with lumber, wood designated to help rebuild their home. Their actions were a dead on demonstration of Matthew 7:12 (NASB): “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
{3} Even though Clark contemplated sending Missy to live with his parents until the difficult times were behind them, he couldn’t go through with it. With Ellen in heaven, Missy needed him, her daddy, more than ever. Clark’s parents serve a vital role, but not “the” role in Missy’s life. Both, however, have a responsibility to her ~ “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,” Deuteronomy 4:9 (NKJV)
{2} As the movie begins to close, water still eludes Clark. Lloyd, his father, remains at his side, speaking words into him and over him. With one last effort, one last pump, water flows. As the viewer, you feel like jumping and applauding along with Clark and his father. There is such relief sensed and felt. In that moment, Clark realizes his Heavenly Father, as his earthy father, was there step by step, dig by dig, pump by pump. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (ESV) May we remember the truth of His word: “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” Psalm 37:25 (NIV)
{1} The Trailer…
Allied Integrated Marketing has given me 2 DVD packages to give away. To enter, please comment below giving me your most favorite Mother’s Day memory either as the child or the mother. The giveaway begins today and will run through midnight CST on Saturday, May 19, 2012. I’ll use Random.org to choose the winners and will announce the two winners on my blog Sunday, May 20, 2012.
Thank you in advance for participating!
Linking with Angie at Top Ten Tuesday…
