The Blindside and Christian Women in the South

Last night, I was finally able to see The Blindside, which depicts the true story of the adoption of future Ole Miss and NFL left tackle, Michael Oher by the wealthy Memphis couple, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. It is a very heartwarming story that shows how Christian love can bridge barriers and rescue and give hope to people in difficult circumstances. I had tears in my eyes throughout the movie. Much is made in the movie of Oher being a homeless, uneducated black teenager while the Tuohy's are wealthy, white, busy, successful and Christian with their kids attending an exclusive Christian school. For the more cynical who feel that it falls into stereotypes regarding black suffering, white guilt, and paternalism, it should be understood that it is a true story. It really happened.

I won't go into all of the particulars of the story (movie or best selling book by Michael Lewis - look up The Blind Side on Wikipedia for a good review). Many things struck me about this story, but one thing in particular stuck out: Christian women in the South are uniquely positioned to make a huge difference in the lives of children in need all around them, especially across the historic divide that exists along racial lines. This applies, of course, to white or black women. It also applies to men, but the story is primarily about Leigh Anne Tuohy and how her life was radically changed by welcoming in a stranger and by doing what was right. As we celebrate Christmas and the Incarnation of Christ, this story is a great example of how we can incarnate Christ in our daily lives and make huge differences in the lives of people.

I left the movie thinking that every women's ministry in every church in the South, as well as America, should watch this movie and discuss it. As a disclaimer, there are a few uses of profanity and off color remarks in different situations, but the overall story is profound. Isaiah 1:17 tells us that we are to "defend the cause of the fatherless." The Tuohy's did this and received a blessing. How many blessings are available to us if we would do the same with the people that God puts in front of us? The drop-out rate for children in Montgomery Public Schools is 53 percent. We have over 300 churches in our city. Following the example of Leigh Anne Tuohy, what difference could Christian women make in the lives of young people through support, tutoring, being foster parents, and adoption? Could it be that the wealth and blessings that we have been given were given to us so that we could be a blessing to others?

I know that there are not a slew of homeless, abandoned future first round NFL draft picks walking around. The Oher-Tuohy story is kind of extreme. But are there other things that Christian women can do to make a difference in the lives of young people? Yes. The Holy Spirit will lead us if we are open to Him and allow Him to speak to us and show us the needs on our doorstep.

By the way, all of this applies to Christian men as well, but I just wanted to point out the beauty of a woman being a mother to more than just her biological children and how by displaying that she can display the heart of God.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Comments

[Rick Garner]

Thank you for this wonderful post. For more on how practicing what we preach can change a life, check out this post: http://richardtgarner.blogspot.com/2009/12/renewing-stars-faith.html