We’re going to see Avengers: Endgame tonight. It released on April 26, but we decided to wait to see it until it came here to Platte.
By some miracle, I haven’t heard any spoilers, even though our sons have both seen it. They’re so nice.
I haven’t accidentally run across anything online, but I’m glad we’re going to go see it tonight. I don’t know how long people typically wait before they start blabbing about plot points in movies they’ve seen.
Our daughter Erin teaches 4th grade in Lincoln, Nebraska. The other day one of her kids got into trouble because he told a girl in his class something from Avengers: Endgame and she got really upset.
Erin took him aside and tried to help him see the error of his ways. “That’s really not nice to spoil a movie for someone else,” she explained patiently.
“How was I supposed to know that she didn’t know that _____________?”
“Hey!” Erin yelped. “I haven’t seen it yet!”
“Oops, sorry Miss Mulder.” The poor kid felt horrible and he kept apologizing to her throughout the day. But the damage was done. He had spoiled it for Erin without meaning to.
I was going to write this post tonight after the movie, but I decided to get it done before we go, so there’s absolutely no way I can spoil the movie for any of you.
We don’t like to have surprises ruined for us, do we?
And most people don’t enjoy spoiling a surprise for someone else.
I recall one time when I accidentally said something about a Christmas present for my brother-in-law. I can’t even remember what I wasn’t supposed to say, but my sister-in-law jumped in with a “He’s not supposed to know that!” I was crushed and I went off to cry somewhere.
We have to be careful with our words, that’s all there is to it.
Sometimes it may just be a movie spoiler that we let slip and we make someone angry. Hopefully they get over it in time. But often we aren’t careful with our words and we do deep and lasting damage to another person’s soul.
Do you think I’m being overly dramatic?
Take a minute and think about some of the things people have said to you over the years. Do any of them bring back massive amounts of pain, even years later?
Now think about something mean you said to your spouse, your child, a friend. Can you remember the look that came over their face, the sadness in their eyes, the time it took for them to feel close to you again?
Hopefully, we apologize and ask forgiveness when we talk to someone that way. There’s grace and forgiveness and healing, with God’s help, but the sting may never completely go away.
Keep that in mind as you choose your words each day. And by all means, no Endgame spoilers, at least for a few more days.
“A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating .” (Proverbs 18:6 ESV)
[I’m going to quote that verse to any middle schooler who dares to rattle off any spoilers while we’re waiting for the movie to start tonight!]
“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” (Proverbs 21:23 ESV)
Have you ever been upset by hearing a spoiler before you wanted to? How can focusing on God help you to watch your words and speak carefully, apologizing and asking forgiveness when you blow it?
Why is it so HARD to control the tongue? I am terrible about saying the wrong thing! But I’m better than I used to be after learning how harmful words can be.
Another awesome post, Robyn! Enjoy the movie!