June 2009

It is not often that marriages are portrayed well on TV or in the movies. We typically see the fantasy of romance that sometimes leads to the marriage but more often does not. So it is rare to see marriage portrayed. And when it is it is usually in a comedy to make fun of marriage.

Because marriages are not portrayed well we do not see good models of a husband or a wife. We often see the husband and father made out to be the buffoon in the family instead of the godly leader. The wife and kids are obviously smarter. He could never survive life without them. What I like to see in a marriage are strong persons who live as a team, who support each other in love with a good deal of laughter and fun mixed in. It is even rarer to see any aspect of godliness portrayed.

Here is a list of my Top Ten favorite portrayals of a wife in a movie or TV. I would love to have you share one or two of your favorites with me. Please do not take any of these to be an endorsement of everything in the movie.

10) Laura Petrie in "Dick Van Dyke Show." (Who would not love Laura?)
 9) Jill Taylor in "Home Improvement" (especially seasons 1 & 2)
 8) Bonnie Hunt as Tom Hanks’ wife in "The Green Mile" (2000)
 7) Debra Winger as C.S. Lewis’ wife Joy in "Shadowlands" (1998)
 6) Catherine Hicks as Annie Camden in "7th Heaven"
 5) Laura Linney as Abigail Adams in "John Adams" HBO miniseries
 4) Phylicia Rashad as Clair Huxtable in "The Cosby Show"
 3) Rachel Griffiths as Lorrie Norris in "The Rookie" (2002)
 2) Tea Leoni in "Family Man" (2001). (Has a great line, "I choose us.")
 1) Tess Harper in "Tender Mercies" (1982)

My favorite portrayal of a husband is James Garner in "The Notebook" (2004).

The best portrayals of marriage are the ones we see in real life. Is someone watching yours? I thank the Lord for the model that my parents were and are. They continue to grow in the Lord’s grace and wisdom. And this month is their 63rd anniversary. So Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! Thank you for the real life example you have been for me, our family and many others.