Last Saturday night, our guests out for the evening, we sat down to watch the best movie I think we’ve seen in a very long time. It was called, ‘The Glass Castle’. Without giving away too much of the story, it chronicles a family that is constantly moving because the father loses his job due to alcoholism and outbursts of anger, among other things. (This is a hard movie to watch, especially if you grew up, like I did, in a dysfunctional home).
I know Jef has ruined me when it comes to just sitting down and taking in a flick because I was analyzing the lighting, the development of the characters, the landscape and so on. Yet, this ‘flick’ went straight to my heart and emotions. The connection between the little girl and her father were way too personal and I found myself drawn in and captivated by the connection.
The main character, Rex Walls, is terribly dysfunctional and troubled from a past that haunted him, but to the best of his ability, he loved his kids. He dreamed with them and was a constant source of encouragement and he loved his wife and supported her love of painting. I cannot imagine who this man might have become if the demons hadn’t had such control over him. The residual effects of his choices lived on in his kids, but they always stuck together as a family.
When all you have is your family, no matter how crazy they are, it’s all you know.
The end of the movie was like frosting on a delicious chocolate cake, handed to me on a silver plate.
Forgiveness, remembering the good times, the moments he put her before himself, his frailty and yet his deep love for her.
Just watch this trailer and see for yourself.
As I’m recalling moments from my own childhood growing up in an alcoholic home, I see so many similarities. When two parents fight, it’s volcanic anger, hostility, tension, flying dishes and hours of screaming and tears that leave huge scars of insecurity, bondage, fear and anxiety in a child’s heart and soul. Even if my dad was a ‘functioning’ alcoholic, it was bad. Any addiction is destructive. Anyone who thinks differently is still in bondage to that addiction.
The child I was then isn’t the woman I am now. I’ve learned to give and receive forgiveness.
Yet I am brave, caring and compassionate now because I have been healed and I know God’s unconditional love for me…apart from my parents. The choices they made and the power of God’s Spirit in me have shaped who I am. They both gave me the best they knew. I know that to be true. To this day, my dad tells me he ‘loves me more’ at the end of every phone call.
I chose to forgive my parents for their failures as I have asked my own kids to forgive me for mine.
Love and forgiveness are on a journey together in everyone’s life.
It’s good to see that movies like this one can hit nerves that may need to be touched and dealt with in order to get healthy.
What’s even more exciting is to know that the curse of carrying on the same lifestyle in my life is broken.
I am free, forgiven and able to forgive those who are trapped by sin.
Life IS good.
Watch the movie and celebrate the power of love.
Until the next time…