Reese Witherspoon - A Real Class Act

Job 32: 9 It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.


I was delighted last night when Reese Witherspoon won the Oscar for Best Actress of the Year, for playing June Carter in the movie "Walk the Line." I saw the movie about a month ago and believed then that Reese would win the award. She gave a stellar performance of June Carter, and the fact that both of them came from Tennessee just added to my joy.

Usually, when movie stars win awards, they give thanks to their directors and supporting cast, which Reese did, and also to their family. Reese gave a great deal of credit to her mum, for bringing her up with integrity and strength to become, in Reese's words, 'a real woman', and that both those things enabled her to encapsulate the essential qualities of June Carter, who was a lovely person and a beautiful Christian.

It was like a breath of fresh air to see such home-spun humility taking center stage to all the arrogant egos and puffed up pride that usually permeates the Oscars. It made you proud to see such an honest, young Tennessean woman display real charm, real class, and real character, in a place not known for any of these qualities.

Reese spoke with a simplicity and a wisdom beyond her years, and I wish her every major success throughout her career. I think she is someone who has credibility in this world, and perhaps her Tennessean upbringing is something that will come to be admired, respected, and even envied in years to come.

Sometimes, we don't give our young people, young adults and young parents enough credit for who they are and what they believe. In our church, we are blessed with many fine, committed and faithful young people, who are already beginning to take up the reins of leadership in our congregation. Some churches worry about the future, but I believe that ours is in safe, strong hands of a generation that is positively responding to its calling, and who will exceed all that we have accomplished for Christ at Erin.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You accomplished great things in Your ministry as a young adult, whose understanding about life and love, faith and God was above and beyond all that of previous generations. We pray that You will bestow such precious blessings upon our young people, young adults, and young parents, so that they will make a major difference in the community that we serve, and joyfully lead more people into Your Kingdom. In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.