Hallmark Movies

Hallmark movies, you either love them or you post memes about them, or both. Every year when it gets close to the Christmas season, I look forward to my husband treating me with a month of the Hallmark channels. I then try to make my days extra productive so that my evenings can be spent snuggled up warm and cozy in a blanket while my heart is being warmed by the latest predictable showing. (My kids also enjoy this time- Not the movies but making fun of them and me for watching them).

Why We Love Hallmark Movies

What is it about these movies that has made them so wildly popular and their production continues year after year? When I pondered this, several things came to mind. First, you can start the movie with a smile on your face because you already know a happy ending is in store. The Christmas decorations are gorgeous - This alone is reason enough to watch! The people/actors are beautiful, and they are set in beautiful locations. Lastly, the movies are always wholesome and pure so you can watch in peace with no concern of disturbing graphics, language, or plot twists. (Garden of Eden anyone?)

Blame Paul

Then it hit me. This tracks with what Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 (NIV):

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

This is what I am thinking while I watch a Hallmark movie. Please hear this, I am not making light of Paul’s admonition in this letter. After all, he was writing this from prison and was encouraging the early church, a much more serious situation than Hallmark movie plot. But the parallel remains. When we think about these things, it makes us feel good. Paul understood the true battlefield is the mind and when we take control of our thoughts and think on these things, the mind follows and therefore the person.

Input = output.

Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

How about you? Do you notice a difference when your positive intake is greater than negative intake?