Veggies, Anyone?

The free family movie this morning...Veggie Tales - The Pirates Who Didn't Do Anything.

I will start this post by saying - I do not heart Veggie Tales. I realize on some level, it seems unchristian like for me to not wholeheartedly embrace this delectable vegetable cartoon dynasty. I have tried to keep my own prejudices about the cucumber and tomato and all their friends away from my daughter, and I have actively tried to introduce them to her. We even have one of the videos and several song cd's. But honestly, she just doesn't get 'em either. They apparently do not meet up with her imagination, because she has never been a fan.

Knowing this movie was a Veggie Tale production, but so desperately wanting and needing a morning out, I purposely kept that part out of the movie description I presented to her yesterday and today again on the way to the theater. I simply told her it was a movie about pirates. She loves the pirates, so I figured she might at least give it a shot.

We were lucky enough to have her daddy tagging along with us this morning, so I knew that would also give her high incentive to stay and watch the show.

When the movie started, all that showed up on the screen was that cucumber and that tomato and immediately Hannah groaned.."oh, its Veggie Tales!" That was all she said, so hoping to divert a disaster I quickly added - "but, its pirates!!" Thankfully the movie started and she did sit through most of it. Of course we had to take a potty break, and if I hadn't armed my purse with gummies and a candy bracelet, and bought the coke and popcorn at the concession stand, I don't know how long she would have really lasted. But she did make it all the way to the end. Hubby and I did too, even though I am pretty certain he caught a "veggie" nap somewhere around the Isles of Malabar (have to see the movie to understand that one - sorry!). I did think the ending was great, loved how they put a Biblical truth right there for "those who have eyes and ears to see and hear." It wasn't preachy at all -but as a Christian, I actually came away with a devotional thought for the day.

For those of you without small munchkins or who like me, just are not veggie fans, unless they are stewed or fried or tossed - the story is the tale of three "just ordinary" guys who are called upon to go on an extraordinary journey to become heroes. Through it all, they discover some uniquely timed help along the way, circumstances that combine together to enable these three ordinary "vegetables" to do the extraordinary and save the prince and princess from the evil pirate. At the end, they are rewarded by the King, who reminded them that he was with them along each step of the journey, even in the test that came their way, for the test only proved to show them what was real and important and ultimately helped them complete the journey.

If ever I needed to hear that, this was the week. It has been a trying one - on many different levels for me. Emotionally, I am finding that I am cleaning house, clearing out some old dusty things in my emotional closet that have no place in my present and future, and in doing so, I have had to face a test or two. On another note, raising an almost four year old is a test in itself and occurs daily around here. Through prayer and quiet times of reflection over the past week it has been shown to me that as awful and as stressful as times of such testing are, I have found a renewed strength, a fresh outlook on my life and a clear vision of the course I want to stay on for my future. This short snippet at the end of the Veggie Tale movie seemed to be just the Word I have been looking for. Yes, I have made the right decision, yes, the trial has been tough, yes, I know there will be days when I will question my resolve, but ultimately, my tests have passed through God's hand before being dealt to me - He knew I could walk through them - He has used them to strengthen me, and for that I am thankful.

Now, you might wonder if after all this, I have become a fan of the Veggies... sadly, no, they still drive me a little insane. All those vegetables, with no arms and legs or worse,(no eyes - ick!), singing, dancing, rowing boats...please! But I do appreciate their message and Hannah liked it and was interested that they have other videos and books -- she might just have been converted this morning. Only a trip to Lifeway will tell for sure.

Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly