Sanctuary: Steel Magnolias

Whether you saw the 1989 version of Steel Magnolias movie starring Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, Darryl Hannah, Sally Field, Julia Roberts or the 2012 contemporary remake starring Adepero Oduye, Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Jill Scott,  Condola and mom Phylicia Rashad, this beloved classic film is the subject of this post! I hope you enjoy!




I just rewatched the 2012 version of this movie on Lifetime in December. Sorry, I have no time for  a full summary. I will skip to the end. At the end of the movie, M'Lynn (Queen Latifah) and the gang were gathered at Truvy's Beauty Parlor in a small parish in modern-day Louisiana after attending her daughter Shelby's funeral. 





M'Lynn breaks down in hysterics in front of Ouiser, Clairee, Truvy, and Annelle stating that she was supposed to "go first", for which she was always ready. She also wonders if Jack Jr. will ever know just how wonderful his mother was, and she also wonders if he'll ever know what she went through just to bring him into the world, and that she wants to hit someone until they feel just as bad as she does, but soon, the other women (mostly Clairee) give support to M'Lynn through both humor and love. M'Lynn then apologized for her stray from southern lady likeness and Clairee (I think) says,  " DON'T EVER BE SORRY FOR ANYTHING IN HERE..."




In HERE, where? Truvy's Salon. THE SALON to me is a type of SANCTUARY for the women in this movie. What Clairee was saying was that the salon was a place where they could be themselves, cry, laugh, not put on any airs, not apologize for breaking down after one's daughter died. A Sanctuary is a place of safety. The ladies could just BE without adverse consequences from each other. The salon is designed for women only, it serves as a type of barrier from the men in their lives. They can take risks in their conversations with each other. 

 I used to go to the salon, before my natural hairdo :) Saturday morning meant getting your hair done! But it means more than that to so many women. You were going to see your group of people who you saw every week (two weeks, monthly, etc.) Saturday morning was meeting gathering.   There were many times I would stay well past the time I was done. I would sit back, relax, and enjoy the fellowship because it was just a time of security, friendship, and love. We would just have wonderful conversation. Joking, laughing, crying, and listening were all part of the agenda. 

This portion of the movie and my story remind me of Hebrews 10. The New International Version of the Bible titled the section containing verses 19-25: A Call to Persevere. The apostle is telling the believers to continue to hold on the the confession of Christ Jesus. He gives three ways of how to do this: 
1) by considering one another to provoke to love and to good work,  (I know I am out of order) 
3) to exhort one another, ourselves and each other to warn ourselves and one another of sin and backsliding and... 

2) by NOT forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. Interestingly enough in verse 25, the saints are told to continue to gather together and then to do so even more.  The communion of the church is a way to mutually strengthen ourselves. 

Just like the women in Truvy's Hair Salon, we are a community in church protected in a special haven. So whether we feel like going to church or not, we really should go.  

Just like being at the salon, Sunday morning church service is a gathering time.  I love going to church! I cannot wait to see everyone because it is time for our weekly Celebration of God! We pray together, praise together, hear the Word together.

Our motivation for going to church should not be so the pastor can notice you or for you to walk down the aisle stylin' and profiling your new outfit! No, we the saints of God must understand that this special forum, the assembling of ourselves, is one way of helping us persevere. 

Have you ever noticed that those who fall away from the church start to do so by missing a Sunday? Then that becomes a few Sundays. Their low attendance is a dangerous practice because it usually means folks' faith is wobbly and unstable and leads to a decrease in the faith, not just leaving the church.

LESSON LEARNED

Remember how important it is to congregate and worship together to edify each other.  It doesn't matter if you meet on Saturday or Sunday or whenever, just get there! It helps us to stay connected to our faith, it reminds us of our duties and enables us to watch over each other in love. 

Love, Peace, and Hair Grease! KIM