Mr Harigan's Phone REST IN PEACE.... OR NOT!!!!!

I heard a Pastor in his early 60's say that his children were so blessed to be adults now in these times. If he had to parent them now as small children, he would feel very sorry for them. He described that parenting kids now is completely different compared to past generations. He would have to be more stricter than the military themselves!!!

As a mom of 3 growing kids, I fully understand and welcome his concern and sympathy to the rest of us trying to pave the way for our humans (kids). One of the greatest battles I and I think most moms face, is the battle and balance of screentime and social media for our kids. I have faced and continue to face the battle and balance of the movie industry and social media as they consistently compete for my kids undivided attention.

Though our household has Netflix, Showmax and YouTube, I find myself constantly on guard as to what, when and how long something is watched.

While scrolling through Netflix, I came across the movie, Mr. Harigans Phone. Just at a glimpse of the picture and that it was written upon a book by none other than Stephen King (The Shinning, IT, Pet Sematary, Christine) I was convinced that it was another horrific horror movie. In our home we do not watch horror movies.

But for some reason I was very curious about this movie. I read the title description which did not say horror and I also read the reviews. So I decided to watch the movie (It was in day), so I was feeling particularly brave! I must say that I was pleasantly surprised, it was not a horror but indeed a drama with a few plots and twists. But what had me in total awe was the powerful message behind the movie......

In a nutshell, a young boy looses his mom.A billionaire approaches him to read for him as his eyesite is failing.The movie is in a time where there are no cellphones. When the cellphone is invented, Mr Harigan receives one but he is sceptical to use it. He prefers the old ways of communication and receiving news. But eventually he gives it a chance and is amazed at all that he can do with the phone. When Mr Harigan dies, the boy puts his phone in his jacket pocket while he is in his coffin. He is then buried with the phone. As the boy misses his friend advice, friendship and conversation. I do believe he begins to imagine that Mr Harigan is still trying to message him through his phone.

Mr Harigan said something very powerful in the movie just before he died.He got extremely afraid as he realised the danger of having everything available instantly at our fingertips, the danger of fake news and the growth and expansion of the internet. Mr Harigan spoke 20 years before of the world that we are living in now....

We cannot escape the media or the continous advancement of modern technology. But we do have a choice, especially as parents to what and how much we allow our kids and even ourselves to be influenced by.

ITS A BATTLE AND BALANCE

A battle because Proverbs 22: 16 says "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old so he will not depart from it".

So as a momma, my kids may not understand why all their movies are already preselected before by me for them to watch. Nor the fact that they cant just watch movies on Netflix or Showmax without my approval first. They may not understand why there is time limits on their usage of social media and their phones. Nor the rules in place that no phones during supper time,outing time, family time and prayer time. I may not be the most popular mom either amoung their friends circle exspecially since they were the lasts to get Tik Tok!!!

ITS A BALANCE

Because Philippians 4vs13 says I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. As a mom I do realise that my kids are way more technologically advanced than we were when kids. And I want to nurture this advancement in them. I also realise their giftings and talents as well.

Though I may not control what the movie industry and their media releases, I have the power and choice to decide whether it is accepted in my home and my family.And as I marvel at the technological advancement in my kids, I am excited and hopeful, knowing that the foundations that I lay will be the stepping stones for them to continue and advance in the changes and impact that they want to make in the Media and film industry.

e