Star Wars

So I recently decided that it was time to introduce my children to their dads ultimate tie to his adventurous childhood...Star Wars.  They are 4 and 6 (the girls) and they are ripe to experience the adventure from a galaxy far far away.  Parenting is pretty much a good analogy for Star Wars if you think about it.  As much as I'd like my kids to see me as a wise, patient and caring father, like Obi Wan Kenobi but much younger.   The truth is, they probably would say I'm schizophrenic between Darth Vader and Han Solo.  Sometimes crazy and fun, sometimes doling out punishment with really raspy coffee smelling breathe.  **Actually, as I'm writing this, the two of them just walked out of their shower wearing nothing but there birthday suits...Rachel saying "I am Old One Kenobi" and Haley saying, "I am Luke Skywalker"  right before they both attacked me saying "There's Darth Vader." *Whack* *Whack*  how ironic is that!**

Anyway, we started Episode IV on Saturday (that's the first old movie for those of you who have been under a rock for the last 30 years.)  As soon as that classic movie score started playing, the kids got to see their dad swooshing around with his invisible lightsaber loudly "singing?" the tune of the Star Wars music.  "Duh..duh.da da da. duh..da! da!!!!"  It was foolish, it was ok...maybe not Han Soloish, maybe Jar Jar Binxish?  Either way, by the end of the opening titles, they were singing it with me and jumping around...even Ethan got in on the fun, and still is...running around going ""Duh..duh.da da da. duh..da! da!!!!"  We managed, after me answering and explaining the whole movie, to get through it.  I wasn't sure if they were really into it, but thanks to Martin Luther King Jr, we had a day together today to watch the second movie.  You guessed it...the movie started, and even before I could get started, they were swooshing and singing around the room.  How cool is that?  But I have realized something in watching it with them.  They are only as interested in the movie if their dad is in there with them.  If I leave the room, or have to leave for a couple minutes, they don't really get what's happening in the movie. 

My kids are thrilled to watch a movie they don't fully understand, if their dad is there with them.  And the more I get into the movie, the more they get into it.  So when Han and Luke are fighting off Tie fighters, and I'm cheering on each explosion, they start to get it into the excitement.  Now, they won't stop talking about it, and are prodding me to watch the rest of the movies.  They probably just want some more time with me, and you know what?  That's exactly what they are going to get.  I may have to be Darth Vader to them sometimes, but I bet the more they hang out with me and know me, the less they have to see the dark side of the force. 

I sometimes field questions, and have even wondered, why didn't Jesus just come down as a grown man and skip the whole having Mary and Joseph change His diaper for Him bit?  Yeah, I know...prophecies and such.  There are lots of logical reasons actually.  It helps me a bit though, to think that God lived my life from the beginning.  He was a kid, he laughed, he goofed off in a completely foolish yet sinless kind of way  :-)  He grew up into a teenager...an adult.  Lost loved ones, saw friends fail.  And in all of this He was living right here with us.  Showing us what He is really like. 

John 14:9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

So if we have this view of our Father in heaven as this all powerful overlord, we probably missed something.  While He no doubt has the power and authority to punish.  The picture we see in His time with us on earth is of a loving, patient, forgiving and sacrificial Spirit.  A picture I see more and more clearly, the more and more time I spend with Him. 

Comments

[Caroline]

It took a little while for us to get into the habit of praying each day together as a family - at times other than meals and bedtime. I got similar questions from my son as you had posted from your daughters in an earlier blog..."Why are we doing this now?" Now Noah reminds me each morning if we have not read our bible story and said our prayers. Today, we read David and Goliath which meant that I ran around all day getting shot in the head with a stone from his slingshot - just pretending, thank goodness! (Does that time count toward my 30 minutes? Kidding.) Then during lunch, he asked me why isn't God human? I got in some extra prayer time as I asked Him for the wisdom to explain that to a 4-year old! There is nothing like having your kids remind or require you to pray - and it was not even before the meal!

[Steve]

I too recently introduced my four year old son to the geekdom of my youth (Star Wars) in a slightly different manner. We were digging through a box of my old toys and ran across some of my original action figures and vehicles. He has since learned all about the X-wing fighter, Cloud Cars, and Jabba the Hut. He became very excited about each charactor, vehicle, and world we explored together. For me it was a blast; for my wife, one more reason to wonder how she could be 'so lucky'.

During this time together I had a similar epiphany. We could have been looking at pet rocks and provided I was excited about them, he would have caught that same excitement. For it was the time we were spending together, focused on one another, that was important. It is my hope that I can inspire in him (by modeling) a similar excitement about a relationship with God as I could beat up 20 year old toys.

[Jason]

Caroline, I think slingshot dodging could be considered spiritual activity :-) I love that our kids are asking questions!

Steve,
I need to dig out my old Star Wars stuff too. I'm pretty sure we lit most of the Storm Troopers up with firecrackers.