Whispering During Movies

When you can barely handle how the story unfolds...

Our little family ends some summer evenings with a movie and popcorn. We enjoy watching a story that we’ve read first. 

The Hobbit has our attention currently. These action-packed adventure movies are based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic book, which is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

As goblins or spiders or dragons close in on Bilbo, the main character, my daughter will often whisper-yell, “We know he lives.” She’s assuring the group, mostly herself, that this current crisis will not end in Bilbo’s death. 

How can she be sure? She knows the rest of the story. 

We’re all annoyed when she gives her whispered assurances because it pierces the tension of the story. We want to engage in the trials and triumphs of the heroes and skate the edge of death with them. 

At the same time, I know exactly why she’s praying that way. 

You realize she’s praying right? 

No, she’s not talking to God… but she’s engaging in the logic of prayer. 

She’s piercing the fear, tension, suspense, weight of the moment with comfort and confidence about the truth of the rest of the story. 

Life is far from a fairy tale, but the place it seems closest is the goblins and demons. How can Christians persevere through the triumphs and trials…skate the edge of death?

Whispering (and often yelling), “We know He lives!” 

"So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings."

-Bilbo Baggins