Where Have All the Good Men Gone?

It's so true, you know -- that song so prominently featured in the movie Shrek 2 -- especially in modern adaptations of old books. This came to light for me watching Prince Caspian this past weekend. I'm a huge fan of the Chronicles of Narnia, and have been since I was a kid. And when movies are different from the books, it bugs me, especially as an author, myself.

Pet peeves aside, there is one trend in Hollywood that I find disturbing. Why in heaven's name do they have to take a perfectly good hero and flaw him?! I loved the Lord of the Rings films, but I have to say the one thing that spoiled them for me is the fact that they had to take Aragorn and Faramir, men of honour and integrity, and make them directionless wafflers. Why can't a man know right from wrong, have a destiny, and stick to it?

They're at it again with the Narnia movies. In the books, Peter, Edmund (eventually) and Caspian are worthy heroes. They inspire rather than demand respect. The film version paints a different picture. Peter and Caspian spend most of the movie in a belligerent show of one-upmanship that is just plain stupid.

And what happens to the girls in all of this? Female characters get pumped up, agressified. They're usually always right and they rarely make mistakes.

So what kind of message are we sending all the men in our lives? Are we telling our men that we don't need them? Are we showing boys that responsibility is to be avoided at all costs or worse, that the way to the top is a power grab? Why can't we show them an example of what to be instead of what not to be? Personally, I'm sticking with the book version for my son. I'm holding out for a hero.

Newlyweds?

My husband and I just celebrated our 8th anniversary yesterday. Yep, 8 years. It's not a whole lot, but these days, it's nothing to sneeze at, either. Considering all the things we've been through, we celebrate each year with enthusiasm. We'd like to think we're at least as much in love now as we were 8+ years ago, if not more.

So it was nice to have that confirmed when a salesman at a furniture store (yes, we went furniture shopping for our anniversary -- romantic, I know) said that he thought we were newlyweds. Newlyweds? You should have seen the look on his face when we smiled and told him we had been married 8 years and had four kids.

It got me thinking -- what is it that makes us look like newlyweds? (Besides the fact that we're pretty young -- I was only 21 when we wed.) Well, we hold hands, we call each other cute names (friends used to laugh at us, but I guess they don't notice anymore), we ask each other's opinion. But I think it's more than that. You can't keep that up all the time! There are times when we disagree -- okay, fight.

But I think the difference is, as I've heard it said, we fall together instead of falling apart. When tough things happen, whether external to our relationship or internal, we seek each other out instead of moving further from our spouse by withdrawing or wounding. I think forgiveness has been key for both of us to move beyond the rut of bitterness.

Of course, it always helps to keep the flame alive! The little phone calls, notes, goodbye and goodnight kisses let each other know that we still care.

I guess the bottom line is that if people think we're newlyweds after 8 years, we must be doing something right!

Boy, are your hands full!

I don't know how many times I've heard that -- especially in the last year -- from some amazed person in the grocery store. My usual reply is a smile and nod, or "Yes, yes they are!" or often "Happily so!" It's sort of an obvious remark to say to a mom who's cruising the store with four kids under 6. And yes, my hands are very full.

But as I think about that statement, it brings to mind another connotation. Like scooping up a double handful of water to drink, I want to be daily drinking deeply of the Living Water. I need the Holy Spirit to equip and empower me. I can't do this life WITHOUT my hands full!

So that's why I chose to rename my blog "Hands Full" -- not only does it describe me to a T, it's also a reminder to me, and to others, that we should always have our hands full of Living Water!

Soli Deo Gloria

So, I've been using this blog sporadically for promo and whatnot. But I've been musing on the idea of using this for more than just book stuff. I'm always brewing with deep thoughts about life, faith, family and just about anything else. It makes sense to write them down, and maybe someone will benefit. Here's hoping someone reads this! So keep an eye out and I'll try to write something every day about something that might apply to life or might be a little entertaining and hopefully deep.

The most important thing as far as I'm concerned is to dedicate this blog, like everything else in my life, to God. It is for His purposes -- as Bach used to sign his work "Soli Deo Gloria" -- To God alone be the glory. So, Father, use this avenue for your glory. Use my hands, my thoughts, and my words to speak to the hearts of people everywhere. Amen.