50 SHADES OF LEMONADE

50 SHADES OF LEMONADE

Yep, that's right!  Today's post is about the big movie coming out this week, "50 Shades of Grey".  I know there's plenty of writers writing out there in the blogsphere on this topic and, honestly, I didn't want to be one of them....still don't.  I'm not a confrontational person, except with my hubby....lucky guy.  I don't generally feel the need to share my opinion on issues unless asked...I'm just not an "in your face kind of person".  I feel pretty strongly that actions speak louder than words, most of the time.  I try to be a very accepting, loving individual who would rather error on the gracious side rather than be judgmental.  I decided to skip the movie (as I did with the book) and was content to make that particular choice for myself and mind my own business.  BUT, as I prayed this week about what to write in this post, I felt a deep impression from God to share WHY I'm not going to see the film.  So I'm asking you to bare with me and keep reading......

First, it's important for you to know that I'm not going see the movie, BUT I WANT TO!  As a human being with human desires, I'm not going to pretend the pull and curiosity isn't there for me.  It was the same for me when the book came out.  I heard all the buzz going around and learned enough about it to know that it's primarily about the sexual relationship between the two main characters, which includes a bounty of explicit BDSM scenarios and I didn't think it would be good for me to put that in my mind.  (If you don't know what BDSM is....bless your heart, I love you, and seriously, don't try to find out).  Those of you who know me, know I'm not a prude AT ALL!  I've been known to make an inappropriate comment here and there (that's putting it mildly) and even say a curse word from time to time (sorry, Mama).  I watch Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and The Americans.  I have seen my share of R rated movies.  I do try not to watch the sex scenes on tv or movies, but I've looked and, honestly,  I've soaked them in at times.  I've held my hand over my husband's eyes to "protect" him and "sacrificially shouldered" watching the scene so I would know when it was safe for him to look.   I'm confessing all of this because I don't feel that I have the right to talk about this topic unless I'm honest.  I am not coming from a place of judgement as I write.  I'm actually coming from a place of thankfulness for what God has given to me through his prompting in my heart.  So if you're still with me, grab a cup of coffee (or lemonade for thematic purposes) and let's look at this together.

5 REASONS WHY I'M NOT GOING TO SEE "50 SHADES"

1.  As a wife, I shouldn't go.  I don't want my husband to go see it and I would be mad at him if he did.  I would be hurt if he rented it ON DEMAND.  I'm gonna use the "P" word now....it's porn.  Tasteful camera angles and soft lighting make it easier to justify in my artistic mind, but the truth is....it's porn.  Honestly, a lot of us girls are really tough on our hubbies in this area and, (I'm gonna say the "H" word now)...hypocritically, give ourselves a pass via romance novels, movies etc.   If I were to see the movie, to be fair, I should encourage my husband to watch 2 hours of guilt-free porn without any judgement from me......that. is. never. gonna. happen....EVER!

2.  As a mom of boys, I shouldn't go see it.  We have serious parental controls on all of the channels on our TV.  I am the only one in our home who knows the passcode.  My 17 year old son is really trying to make good choices in his life by complying with these "safety rules".  He doesn't even have safari on his Iphone so he's not tempted to access porn from it (his decision).  He also has an app that emails his friend if he accesses any questionable sites.  He always looks at the floor when there's a sex scene on TV or on a movie.  Even if he wasn't so responsible about these things, we have spent his entire life teaching him to respect and honor women and to be a gentleman. We've explained over and over again how God's plan for relationships and marriage are what's best for him.  How can I go see a movie that is nothing but the complete opposite of all of these values....."do as I say, not as I do"???  I can't do that to him.

3.  As a mom of girls, I shouldn't go see it.  I have always taught my girls to be modest and to carry themselves with respect and dignity.  "Keep it classy" is a big phrase in our home.  I would not want them to be in this movie or to see this movie.....nor would I want them to think that the relationship depicted in it is in any way, shape or form about love.  We have spent their entire lives teaching them to be chaste and to follow God's plan for their relationships.  I want my girls to be godly women who make godly choices.  I have a responsibility to them to be an example of everything we've taught them as best I can.
Talk is cheap....I must BE the person I want my kids to be.

4.  As a woman, I shouldn't.  Even if the movie romanticizes it, the objectification of women is rampant around the world.  How can I vehemently express my horror and rage against sex trafficking and the multitude of atrocities committed against women and children, and then go to this movie and be a willing participant in watching some of the same kinds of things happen to the girl on the screen? Seriously, perversion is never romantic and it's NEVER love.......ask any victim....ask me.

5.  As a child of God, I can't.  I can't go to this movie and keep my heart completely open to Jesus.  In order to watch it, I'll have to close a piece of it off to Him, which for me, means that I'll be keeping a piece for myself.....but it's even bigger than that.  In closing my heart off to Jesus, I'm opening it up to Satan, period.   I wouldn't be able to watch all of the sex scenes and forget about them.  I would play them over and over in my mind and they would be ingrained in my consciousness forever.  I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but it would literally change who I am.  It would create a space for Satan to gain influence in my heart and mind, making it impossible for me to be the person I am when I'm totally connected to Jesus and my heart is FULLY His.  The truth of the matter is that God is so gracious and so free with His love that He always lets us choose for ourselves.  I have the choice, it is mine to make, and He will love me the same no matter what it is.  Frankly, I have chosen to read, see and think about things that I know were not pleasing to Him at times.  Lightning never struck me and, clearly, I never turned into a pillar of salt.  But I know who I was and how I was when those things were in my life and it is NOT who I want to be.  I don't want to be in bondage to my flesh, or a slave to anything other than Christ....pun intended!  :-)

If you choose to go see "50 Shades", I'm not gonna be mad at you.  I'm not going to treat you any differently or lecture you in any way.   My love for you and acceptance of you will not change.  Here's the deal, though.....We only have one shot at our time here on earth.  We only have one opportunity to live a life of gratitude and thankfulness for all that He has offered and given to us so generously and freely.  We have the chance to connect our hearts FULLY to the God of the universe and to impact our families, friends, community, and the world for His glory.  And we have each other.....to support, encourage and to cheer each other on when we make choices that go against the norm.  This is a choice that goes against the norm in our culture right now.  Will you think about it?