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All was, for the moment, peaceful in both Heatherfield and Meridian. It seemed the universe, chaos, and drama had decided to call a temporary truce. No one had any idea when this quiet time would end, so they decided to make the most of it while they had it. During this peaceful lull, one should count their blessing and be thankful for what they had.
People had a few flaws in common, no matter what world they called home. But, if there were a few things proven time and time again, it was this that the seven deadly sins were very real.
That out of seven deadly sins, the worst, which seems to infect others, was greed, pride, lust, and vanity more than any other. Though glutton sure came close. It seems most souls who became tainted would lust for power. Becoming more greedy for it as their glutton, the appetite for this illusion was increasingly influential.
So yes, the illusion of power brought out the worst. But even if people had shown that the illusion of control would make them go to the worst extremes, there was one thing that counters it.
That was love, and there are many forms of love. Love for friends and family. I love romance. Love for our dreams and countries. Just as many kinds of love as there were stars in the universe. According to the Earth calendar, a critical day of love was about to happen. It wasn't Valentine's Day, either. Instead, the holiday that was fast approaching was Father's Day.
Most people didn't understand how crucial having a father in your life was. The research proved when a child didn't have a father or father figure. There was a significant increase in poor decisions that would lead to criminal activities, suicide, or other tragic things. This is why at the moment, all the fathers of Guardians and their allies were watching a vital film that talked about how important their role was.
They're watching the 2011 Christian Drama film "Courageous" The fathers' significant others had had another chat at the local coffee shop. They'd agreed it was vitally important that the dads understood their roles this year.
In particular, the newest daddy Caleb, given his new son. Typically Cornelia wasn't one to worry about the good Lord above. But given how bad things had gotten with Phobos and the supernatural drama, she wanted to make sure her true love got the message crystal clear.
So, Caleb was in his living room watching the film on the flat-screen Cornelia's parents had given them. He held his sleeping son Killian with his dad sitting next to him. "I still don't fully understand how Earth technology works. But I must admit I've grown to love this wonderful device," Julian whispered to Caleb as the movie was now showing the character of Adam Mitchell researching the Bible after the death of his daughter.
For Mr. Lair, Irma's father, this film hit very close to home, given that he was also a cop. He couldn't imagine how he'd handle it if a fellow officer told him Irma was in an accident and died.
After all, being a cop, you did see the worst of society. That is why it was so important what this film was talking about. Finally, Hay Lin and Cornelia's dads seemed to be getting a wake-up call. And Taranne's brother was paying close attention, given Cassidy would have his baby soon. He needed to understand this right now.
Will's stepfather Dean and boyfriend Matt were also present since the women insisted all the men in their lives watch it. They had just come in from the kitchen with some more snacks. By the time the men in Will's life had returned, a fundamental question had just been asked in the film. "When did you first think of yourself as a man?"
The other girls' boyfriends had roughly the exact answers of Shane Fuller or David Thompson in the movie when they got their driver's licenses or turned twenty-one. The girls' fathers leaned more towards the solution when they moved out or got their first job. Only Caleb and Julian had the same response as Javier in the movie.
Javier said he felt like a man in the movie when his father told him. That was a wake-up call to the young men, as the movie's resolution was a focal point. Caleb and Julian paid close attention to the point in the film "Gun Range Gospel."
In the movie, Nathan told David, who confessed to fathering a child in college and abandoning them, that he was guilty. But, he also explained that God is a good judge. And he will punish the guilty not for what they did right but for what they did wrong.
This made Caleb realize that even if he'd not abandon his son, he was guilty of other things. And that, yes, this "God" would judge him. But it wouldn't matter. He had helped save Meridian.So insteadthis "God" would consider how he had acted towards his loved ones.
It seemed all of them were thinking of the same thing. What were they guilty of? What did they do as fathers who didn't live up to what the Lord asked of them? So there was a lot of murmuring and talking about what had gone on so far. But everyone was dead silent regarding the actual ceremony in the movie.
"I cannot express what an honor this is for me today to hear the commitment all of you are making for your faith and your families. It was almost overwhelming. Nathan, I would you stand before me.
And your wife and your children stand before me. My son in the faith, I took joy in mentoring you as a young man. And today, I take joy in blessing you as a godly father. Are you ready to make this commitment before God and your family?" the man on the screen was asking one of the cops.
The cop replied. "Yes, I am."
And then slowly, one by one, the fathers all said different sections of this resolution.
"That I, Nathan Hayes, solemnly swear before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children. I will love them, protect them, and serve them. And teach them the statues of God as the spiritual leader of my home."
"I will be faithful to my wife to love and honor her. And be willing to lay down my life for her as Christ did for me. I will teach my son to love God with all of his heart and mind, and strength. And I will train him to honor authority and live responsibly."
"I will confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy."
"I will treat others with kindness, respect, and compassion."
"I will work diligently to provide for the needs of my family."
"I will forgive those who wrong me and reconcile with those I have wronged."
"I will walk with integrity as a man answerable to God."
"I will seek to honor God and do his will."
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
The ceremony scene ended with the man who had overseen warning them there would be challenges. And they were doubly accountable now for their actions. But what they needed most of all was courage.
Their movie played out with the fathers trying to live up to their resolution and one of them failing when he decided to sell the drugs the cops had confiscated.
This father took responsibility for his actions in jail and asked another father to watch over his son for him. Then there was an intense gun battle in which at least no one died.
The movie's closing was at a church on Father's Day with an equally persuasive speech.
"As a law enforcement officer, I've seen first-hand the deep hurt and devastation that fatherlessness brings to a child's life. Our prisons are full of men and women who lived recklessly after their fathers' abandonment—wounded by the men who should've loved them the most.
Many of these children now follow the same pattern of irresponsibility as their fathers. While so many mothers have sacrificed to help their children survive, they were never intended to carry the weight alone. We thank God for them.
But research is proving that a child also desperately needs a daddy. There is no way around this fact.
Earlier this year, my family endured the tragic loss of our nine-year-old daughter Emily.
Her death forced me to realize that I had not taken advantage of the priceless time I had with her. But that I did not truly understand how crucial my role was to her and our son Dylan.
Since her passing, I've asked God to show me through His word how to be the father I need to be. I now believe that God desires every father to courageously step up and do whatever it takes to be involved in the lives of his children.
But more then just being there providing for them, he's to walk with them through their young lives and be a visible representation of God, their father in heaven.
A father should love his children and seek to win their hearts. He should protect them, discipline them, and teach them about God. He should model how to walk with integrity and treat others with respect.
He should call out his children to be responsible men and women who live their lives for what matters in eternity. Some men will hear this and mock it. Or ignore it.
But I tell you, as a father, you are accountable to God for the position of influence he's given you. You can't fall asleep at the wheel only to wake up and realize that your job or hobbies have no eternal value, but the souls of your children do.
Some men will hear this and agree with it. But have no resolve to live it out. Instead, they will live for themselves and waste the opportunity to leave a godly legacy for the next generation.
But there are some men who, regardless of the mistakes we made in the past, regardless of what our fathers did not do for us. We'll give the strength of our arms and the rest of our days to loving God with all that we are and teach our children to do the same.
And whenever possible, love and mentor others who have no father in their lives but desperately need help and direction.
We invite any man whose heart is willing and courageous to join us in this resolution.
In my home, the decision has already been made. You won't have to ask who will guide my family. Because by God's grace, I will. You don't have to ask who will teach my son to follow Christ. Because by God's grace, I will.
Who will accept the responsibility for providing for and protecting my family? I will. Who will ask God to break the chain of destructive patterns in my family history? I will.
Who will pray for and bless my children to pursue whatever God calls them to do boldly? I am their father. I will. I accept this responsibility, and its my privilege to embrace it.
I want the favor of God and his blessing in my home. Any good man does. So, where are you, men of courage? Where are you fathers who fear the Lord? It's time to rise and answer the call God has given you. And say I will!" and the movie credits rolled.
After the music had ended, the DVD popped out of the player, and now it was time to talk about what they had learned from the movie. It was a big wake-up call for sure for everyone.
Even after ten years, Caleb and Julian still didn't understand everything about Earth, which was the first time they heard about God. But they had taken to heart the message of the movie.
Caleb looked at this little bundle of love in his arms with fresh eyes. Now he knew what a father meant. Everything else didn't matter as much as his son's soul did. Julian remembered his time with Caleb before being sent to the mines. He felt he had done an excellent job with his son, but now he knew his career wasn't over.
He still had a lot to teach his son and help him be the father that his son needed. That there was more to life then constant battles against evil. That there were friends, family, and many more valuable lessons.
And it started today. Today both father and son resolved to do just as the men in the movie had done. And honor all the earthly God had asked of them as fathers what he asked of them as men and husbands. It is no easy task, but they're up for it. It was second nature to fight against evil and dethrone tyrants. But to be fathers? That would take some real courage.
"I think the girls had a good idea making us watch that film, Dad."
"Yes, it was impactful, Caleb. Your mother and her new friends were sage to make us watch that. Maybe its time we read this book they talked about in the film."
"Yes, I agree, Dad. Despite everything else that went on in our lives, maybe its time we put our faith in something other then the Guardians. I think from now on. We should go to this church."
It seemed the movie had the same impression on Earth's fathers; they all agreed they needed to work harder and be better fathers and men. So, from this day forth, all of them would follow what the movie said.
For Caleb, he knew he'd be more then ready to honor all that this enlightening movie taught him. For all of his family and both his worlds. It was finally time to be genuinely courageous.