Juno

I took my kids to see Juno last night. World Magazine gave it a good review, as did the critics, and I wanted my kids to see it. It was everything that I anticipated - and none of what my kids were expecting :). They were totally unaware that the movie was about teen pregnancy. As we exited the theater, I heard other kids say that they'd no idea that the movie was about a pregnant teen.

This is the third movie I've seen this year with a pro-life message, Bella being by far the best, and Knocked Up (one of my few movie mistakes) the worst. My 14 year old daughter saw all three with me and they've been good opportunities (even Knocked Up) for good, frank discussion about sexuality and life.

In Juno, a couple of smart kids - best friends- get bored and have sex (I wonder if and how often that happens?!). I don't know who played Juno, but she did a great job. The boy was played by the "nice" kid from Superbad (one of my other movie mistakes - 2 in one year! When has that ever happened? I must be slipping.). Juno lets him know that she's pregnant, but she's going to 'take care of it.'

However, at the abortion clinic she meets a lone protester - a girl she knows from school. The girl tells her that her baby already has fingernails. Once inside, Juno seems to hear nothing but fingernails - clicking, scratching, etc. She can't go through with it. She decides to find adoptive parents, which she does in the Pennysaver (a small part of the exquisite humor of this movie), and give the child up for adoption.

Juno's family is fairly supportive, though her father tells her that he thought she was the kind of girl who knew when to say when...(to which she replies, "I don't know what kind of girl I am." - What 16 girl really does? Juno's step-mom tells her father that out of this terrible mess, Jesus will bring a miracle to a family that wants a baby. How's that for Hollywood?!

I talk openly with my kids about sex. I've told them that I would prefer for them not to be sexually active. I've told them why. I've modeled chaste living in our home. But I know that they may make decisions that I do not agree with. I pray that they'll have the strength and good sense to resist temptation when it comes, and I know that it will come. Olivia and Alex can escape the pain and wounds of having sex outside of God's designs. That's my fervent wish and prayer. But I also know that whether they deal with pregnancy or woundedness or whatever, that God will somehow make it part of His story of redemption.