During Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, both my kids asked if we could go watch a movie. It had been a couple months since we last went to the theater and they had a specific film in mind. They wanted to go watch “David.”

This past Friday, I took Sloan and Beau to B&B Theatres in Airway Heights to watch “David.”

I told them Monday would probably be the most feasible day for us to go. We were busy that morning and when the afternoon arrived, the children reminded me of what I said. They pushed really hard to go. It had been a rather exhausting weekend and I just wasn’t feeling it. After going back and forth in my head, I told Sloan and Beau the answer they didn’t want to hear: No.

They didn’t take it well and I actually felt really bad. Although I didn’t outright promise them, I did leave some hope that we would go to the movies on Monday. Furthermore, I was denying them the chance to watch a movie that was righteous, noble, and age-appropriate.

The guilt lingered into Tuesday and was coupled with a coincidence when I listened to daily mass as I drove to work. That particular week was the beginning of 1 Samuel for the next several daily readings. Of course, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel are the two books that the movie “David” is centered on. No, it wasn’t a coincidence—it was a sign. I needed to take my kids to watch the movie.

This past Friday I took Sloan and Beau to watch “David.” I probably waited five days too long but luckily it all worked out. We visited the B&B Theatres in Airway Heights and watched the 6 p.m. showing of the film in a cozy auditorium.

“David” was excellent and I was so happy we got to see it. The movie touched on calling, bravery, leadership, and of course, faith. David himself wasn’t perfect but I think that is what makes the lineage of Jesus so relatable. The families we all grew up in weren’t perfect and we probably all have enough shame to go around. However, even with the sad moments and blotches in our family trees, there is still the ability for holiness to abound.

The moment in the movie that truly touched my heart came toward the end when David stood up for his people and said the following:

“I’d rather take my chance following the light than to live in the dark.”

In life, we can easily settle for darkness and choose to live a self-centered existence with no ambition. Or, we can take up our crosses and strive for holiness. This is a choice we can make every single day. I have sadly opted for darkness too many times than I care to admit but I hope to keep David’s bold declaration top-of-mind in the future. Perhaps bright and early each morning I can accept the challenge to follow the light as opposed to succumbing to the darkness.

Thank you, Sloan and Beau, for pushing us to see “David.” Let’s pursue the light together! Don’t Blink.