THRONE OF LIES
“Can you rub my feet Dad”? she asked. “Your feet hurt babe”? I asked already knowing the answer. “Yeah, they’re killing me”! was the immediate response. “That’s the price you pay for stardom”! I added with humorous sarcasm. Our youngest’s new shiny red Dorothy slippers from her school play weren’t built for comfort.
“Let me finish this first,” I added not looking back up. “YOU SIT ON A THRONE OF LIES”!!! she half yelled as she began to laugh. I recognized the line, but couldn’t place it. I too began to laugh at her wit, “What’s that from”? I asked laughing. “It’s from Elf”! she replied as our laughs began to turn into belly laughs.
“Oh yeah – when he was in the department store with the fake Santa Clause”! – “You sit on a throne of lies”! I repeated still laughing at our youngest’s response. “Alright” – “Come here you little Sneaker-McGee”! (one of a zillion nicknames). I stopped what I was doing and to rub my little one’s clammy feet.
We don’t watch that many movies, but the ones we watch, we use quotes from in humor and fun. They come to us naturally: we adopt someone else’s writing for our own purposes, sometimes humor, sometimes to make a point. When it comes to things of a serious nature, we don’t quote movie dialogue, in fact when things get tough, humor is the last thing on our minds.
If our exposure or lifestyle has been violence, there’s a good chance we will revert to it when pressed. If pouting is the world we’re trained in, then pouting it shall be. When you face difficult times, what is your natural response? What pops into your head or instinct? There comes a time in all of our lives when our self-reliance won’t be enough. As big, bad, and strong as we or our spouse may be, it won’t be enough to best the forces of this cosmos.
We have another practice around our house, and this is my reminder to myself that we need more of it. When a situation arises, sometimes not in just difficulties, but also in times of blessings, we quote scripture. The mightiest of all sources – God himself reveals His words within. Those words, while not always exactly what we desire at the time, do something beyond what is explainable in our flesh. It comforts… Truth has a way of doing that… God is truth…
When we face the truth, even when it hurts, there is peace, there is relief from within. Lies only put off the inevitable; pain… We can laugh, joke, lie, and steal from ourselves or others, but in the end we can’t outrun the truth of God’s word… “It is sharper than any double-edged sword”…
Interestingly enough, I’ve used the old line from The Wizard Of Oz, “Oh Toto – I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore,” more than a few times in our youngest daughter’s life. Now I get to watch our youngest say it with a straight face, right before she sings… This outta be fun… I hope she doesn’t slip up and say, “We’re not in Phoenix anymore”!
I’d never be able to live that one down…
bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 @ 7:51 am
First, it is cool that they supported their sister. Second, love the interplay on movies. My youngest and I do that with movies since our tastes are close to the same. It is fun watching a father/daughter laugh together. Thanks for sharing this tidbit Floyd. 🙂
Floyd
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 6:51 pm
Yeah, thanks Bill. It is fun to watch parents interact. Those are the nuggets of this life I think. It isn’t anything special, just a daily interaction. I’m not that you too interact with your daughter the same way.
TC Avey
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 @ 8:32 am
Your post reminds me that we must watch what we put in our heads. Garbage in – Garbage out.
I used to work in an environment where cursing was second nature- it wasn’t long before I found myself using those same lines in times of frustration. Once that habit developed it’s been a tough one to break.
Kids are wonderful- they can teach us so much!
Floyd
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 6:53 pm
Good point TC. What we emulate should be honoring to all of us, God first. Kids do teach us a lot, especially about ourselves…
Hazel Moon
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 @ 5:10 pm
You have three beautiful daughters, and they all look like “stars” to me. That was precious that them made the effort to be there to support your youngest!
Yes, we all face difficult times and as is your habit in your home – – quoting Scripture is an excellent habit. Sorry about the pinched feet with those uncomfortable shoes – – but I know they really looked GOOD !!
Floyd
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 6:56 pm
Thanks Hazel, they did look good if I do say so myself. I was a little worried she would slip when they did the “Weeeeeee’re off to see the Wizard – the wonderful Wizard of Oz”! One of the best habits we can develop is to quote God’s word. I truly does comfort beyond mere words.
Nancy
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 @ 7:43 pm
Gorgeous daughters! Poor thing – part of being able doing a good job IS being fairly comfortable. At least it didn’t last long. Thanks for sharing the pix!
I laughed so hard when you said you used lines from movies. My daughters and I do the same thing. One of them speaks with an accent ( as is required). They love some of the lines from Sense and Sensibility – one favorite for us all is…”Weren’t you totally diverted?” Today we would say, “Didn’t that really crack you up? Sounds even funnier with a British accent.
All in all, it IS The Word of God that IS quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword. It can take care of situations and provide instruction in righteousness. I can;’t wait til we are all able to say, “We’re not on the earth, anymore!”
It bothers me that so many do not have anything to fall back on except the latest movie, TV program or fad music when they get in a pinch. Must protect our hearts
Floyd
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 6:59 pm
I agree completely Nancy. All the lost have is wisdom of the lost world and there is no comfort there. We have the words and hand of God on us and in us. We are blessed indeed!
That’s so fun to quote movies and be goofy with our kids isn’t it? I truly cherish these little things, as I know you do too.
Jason Stasyszen
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 10:43 am
I knew exactly where the ‘throne of lies’ line came from. 🙂 You are so right, Floyd. What we put in, we get out. We can say, “oh that doesn’t effect me” but we’re delusional (and believe me, I’ve been there). So grateful that moments in His presence and reading His word cuts to the core of my being and rewrites my DNA in the most profound of ways. Great post and love the glimpse into your wonderful family.
Floyd
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 7:00 pm
Thanks Jason. I enjoy sharing them. Great insight to the way God really does rewrite our genetic code, which is a miracle all by itself. That’s really insightful, you should write a post on it!
Audra Krell
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 12:23 pm
We quote Elf constantly. This is hilarious. You have a stunningly beautiful family, clearly your wife has some very dominant genes. LOL But seriously, the inner beauty radiates from the inside out of those girls, that’s the mark of a well loved, intentional family. Way to go Dad!
Floyd
Thursday, March 29, 2012 @ 7:02 pm
Haaa! I hear about my wife’s powerful Italian genes often! The pictures don’t lie! The inner beauty is from God, inspired mostly from their mom. She is amazing…
Why am I not surprised that you too quote Elf?