Have you had the opportunity to see the movie “Brave”? I had the opportunity to see it last weekend at the theater and I highly recommend it. In case you’re not familiar with the movie, I’ve included a brief description taken from CBN.com:

THE MOVIE IN A MINUTE
“Police officers Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson and Shane Fuller are confident and focused on the job while serving and protecting their community. That same drive fades at the end of the day when they face their greatest challenge: fatherhood. Being a “good enough” father falls short when tragedy strikes and these four men’s faith is tested. When secrets are revealed and life becomes unbearable, they must turn to God and their families to survive” .

I admit that the acting is not what you see in your average Hollywood movie, but the message makes up for it. When Adam Mitchell’s 9-year-old daughter is killed in a car accident, he struggles with her faith, repenting as a father, leading him to take a closer look at himself. On his journey of healing and recovery, Adam immerses himself in God’s Word with the desire to learn what God has to say about being a father.

Adam realizes that he has not been doing a good job leading his family, proactively instilling God’s values ​​in his children, and allowing his work to take priority over quality time with his wife and children. He now understands how short his life can be and his need to step out of his comfort zone to be the father and leader of his family that God has called him to be. Adam creates a “Resolution” document based on what he believes God is calling him to be as a father. He shares the “Resolution” with his core group of friends and asks them to hold him accountable for the statements in the “Resolution”. As a sign of his commitment, he is about to sign the document in front of his friends.

As police officers, they are aware that children who grow up without a father or with an abusive father are more likely to commit crimes, use drugs, and end up in gangs. Each of the men, from his own experience with his father and/or as a father, realizes his need to have the courage to step forward and be the man, the leader, the father, that God He has called them to be.

As Adam begins to share his revelations about fatherhood, one of his friends says; “You’re good enough, dad.” Adam’s response is, I don’t want to be a “good enough dad.”

Sometimes it takes a loss, the death of a loved one, or a divorce for us to examine our lives and ask ourselves important questions:

Do I regret my relationship with my loved one or my spouse?
Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
If so, how can I use this experience to change?
What steps will I take to avoid regretting in the future?
Was I using my time wisely? Were my priorities in the right order?
Did the person who loved her know? How did I show them? I told them?

Below are 7 lessons single parents can learn from the film Courageous and consider for their families:

1. Single parents need to step up and be the leader of their household. Single parents have no control over the other parent and how they choose to parent. This means that if you are a single mother, you are responsible for the values ​​you instill in your children. You are the leader, the discipliner, the rule maker for your home. Children need structure, rules, and a leader in both homes.

2. Parents play an important role in children’s lives. If your children do not have their father in their life, or if he is a bad role model (has an addiction problem, mental illness, criminal, etc.), look for a man who you respect, trust and believe would be a positive role. role model for your children and ask if they would be willing to spend time with your child(ren). You may find a male role model/mentor at church, youth groups, school, a teacher, coach, instructor, co-worker, neighbor, relative, father of one of your children’s friends, or the Big Brothers program could be places to to find somebody. .

3. Have the courage to co-parent without conflict. One of the best things you can do as a single father for his children is to co-parent without conflict. You may not like your ex, but that’s not your kids’ fault. It may seem like a big sacrifice to be a bigger person and avoid conflict, but it is the sacrifice you must make for your children. Your children deserve it and are worth it.

4. As single parents, you may feel overwhelmed with all your responsibilities. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself operating in survival mode. Be intentional about healing and getting healthy after your divorce. Your children need you to be healthy and present for them. It is never too late to do your job to heal and recover from your divorce.

5. Having support is important. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you are having difficulty. Surround yourself with people who love you and want the best for you. Avoid people who are negative, add fuel to the fire, speak ill of your ex, and encourage you to be angry, resentful, and seek revenge. Ask people for their support, let them know your plan/goals and ask them to hold you accountable.

6. Take an interest in your children and their interests. Spend “quality” time with them doing something you enjoy doing, or pick up a hobby, sport, or activity you both enjoy doing together. If your children ask you to spend time with them and you are always too busy, you need to let some things go and make time. On the other hand, if your kids don’t seem interested or ask you to spend time with them, why not? Have they given up because you are always too busy? You take the initiative.

7. What is your vision for your family and children? What do you want for your children and their future? What are you doing to make it happen? If you don’t have a vision, a plan, why not? Are you hoping that they will turn out well and stay out of trouble? Now is the time that you have them, to help them grow, to guide and guide them and be their parents. Use this time wisely.

You may be a single parent, but don’t let that stop you from being the parent your children deserve, the parent God has called you to be. Decide to take some time to answer the questions posed in this article. Create a plan/vision for yourself and your children, identify the steps you need to take, set realistic goals, and determine to be intentional and courageous in reaching goals for your family.