Monday, September 6, 2010

A River Runs Through It

     The love of fly fishing is woven into this movie about family and faith. The Montana wilderness is the back drop of this wonderful chronicle of two brothers coming of age in the home of their preacher father and loving mother. The oldest brother leaves home to fulfill a dream and career while the youngest remains at home a successful newspaperman struggling with addiction to gambling.
    At first glance, I thought the movie would portray the father as an overbearing, legalistic religious man and slam the Christian faith as harsh and unloving as often is the case. But to my surprise the father and mother were shown to display an unconditional love for both their children. An example I hope to model with my adult children. These parents display a great love for their children, exemplifying their successes, and loving them despite their weaknesses.
   The movie shows how coming back to the roots of childhood, in this case the love fly fishing instilled by their father, weaves a life of love and faith together with the magnificent works of God.
Dreamer's Top 6 To Do List:
1. Set standards in accordance with your values and walk them out.
2. Build a parental team that supports each other.
3. Encourage your children with faith, love, and prayer.
4. Share your passion with your children without expectations.
5. Love your children unconditionally.
6. Praise for their successes; pray for their weaknesses.