Pretty Woman

We interrupt this programming to bring you this very important announcement.  Youngest son is home from Haiti.  He is already plotting a way to go back for a longer time. He wants to go and work in the orphanage’s medical clinic. Husband and I have a peace about him going back, but he also has some responsibilities he needs to take care of before he could leave again. Please pray that God will direct him and open any doors he may need to go back.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV)

This week marked the twentieth anniversary of the movie, Pretty Woman. I know because AOL told me so. That’s where I read about how the movie was vastly different from the originally scripted storyline. After interviewing prostitutes who told stories about wealthy men who showered them with luxuries for a brief time, the author wrote a darker story with Vivian, the character played by Julia Roberts, battling and eventually succumbing to a drug addition. Oddly Disney bought the rights to the story and used it as a vehicle to launch Gary Marshall into film making. With the selection of a director of comedies like Laverne and Shirley and Happy Days, the movie took a lighter turn, but there were still problems with finding an actor and an actress willing to play the roles of a prostitute and her “John.” Upon being approached for the role, Darryl Hannah said it was degrading to all women. Eventually, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere were selected and the chemistry between them was evident from the first rehearsal. With Marshall wisely allowing them to improvise, the once tragic story became a fairy tale where Prince Charming rescues and then, in turn is rescued by Cinderella. Pretty Woman is one of my favorite movies. I guess there are some holier than thou folks who would be horrified to know that, but after seeing it many times, it still makes me laugh and cry. I love it when Vivian is transformed from a duckling into a swan. I cheer for the hotel staff that support her and sneer at Edward’s business acquaintance who tries to take advantage of Vivian. I am encouraged by how Vivian’s influence softens the hardhearted Edward. Who can’t laugh at the scene where Edward opens up a jewelry box only to snap it shut on Vivian’s fingers! I sigh contentedly when Edward sets aside his fear of heights symbolizing his aversion to commitment and climbs up the fire escape to reunite with Vivian. All live happily ever after, even Vivian’s silly roommate. Of course, the sets and costumes are gorgeous. I remember two decades ago when my waist was smaller, buying a dress so much like Vivian’s just because it made me feel like a princess, too. Though I never had to make my living as a prostitute, I could so relate to Vivian’s story. Most all of us at some time or another have prostituted ourselves. While it might not be with our bodies, we have compromised our character or our integrity to get what we want. Or we have stretched the truth, cut corners, failed to make good choices. Whatever we want to call it, the Bible calls it sin. Fortunately for us, there is a real Prince Charming sent to rescue us. His name is Jesus Christ. He loves us even more than Edward loved Vivian and doesn’t need a white stretch limousine. The Bible says He will return someday on a white horse just like the King He is.