Knight in Shining Armor (we’re rescued)

The boys just roll their eyes, grin, and in the end, humor me. They probably do a lot of that living with me.

However this time it is because I am ushering them downstairs to watch the first of two nights of Sound of Music (and eat fun foods like TV dinners and other quick entrees).

This is an annual tradition I started with the kids many years ago when Hubby was away from home for several nights in a row. Much to my delight, I’ve managed to hold on to the event.

The Sound of Music is one of those movies I could watch over and over! It appeals to me on many different bases: the music is fun; the setting, gorgeous; and the story line, one of romance and adventure.

But perhaps my favorite part of the script is the underlying theme of being rescued. I believe women are particularly drawn to that idea. Even as little girls, we cannot get enough of the stories of princesses being rescued from towers and riding off into the sunset with knights in shining armor.

Rescued

As a grown woman, I like to think of myself as strong, able to handle what comes up. But deep down I still long for that knight to whisk me off my feet and carry me to safety—to live happily ever after…

The Sound of Music provides that seemingly perfect, gleaming knight in the form of Captain Georg Von Trapp. As Maria is searching for God’s will in her life, the captain becomes her answer.

He sweeps Maria off her feet, sharing his love for her in a hauntingly beautiful scene. He is firmly in control of their lives, providing the correct decisions to steer his family around all the obstacles they face and ultimately leading them to safety.

In a way, he becomes their savior.

Captain Von Trapp’s shining example of manhood makes for a great story, but it can be damaging when carried into a marriage.

I believe we wives often, unknowingly, expect our men to be our saviors. We want them to be tender yet strong, understanding yet decisive; the perfect lover, servant, and leader.

We want our man to be that flawless knight! 

Ouch! That’s a tall order for any man, even Captain Von Trapp! And when our guy fails to live up to those unreasonable expectations, we become frustrated with him.

Can we blame men when they become confused and withdraw to their man-caves?

The True Rescuer

By expecting our husbands to be all things and fulfill all our needs, we put them in place of God in our lives and set them up for failure—big time!

And besides, we already have someone who epitomizes perfection walking right next to us.

The Lord is the perfect lover, protector, servant, and leader. He is the redeemer, the sanctifier, the rescuer, the Savior. He is who we seek!

The Lord is the perfect lover, protector, servant, and leader. ... our rescuer! Share on X

The Sound of Music is a wonderful, uplifting movie, and I’ll continue to watch it (hopefully on an annual basis). But during future viewings, as the story unfolds, I’ll be reminded where my true rescuer is:

 “lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” (Psalm 121:1, KJV).

And, at the end, as Captain Von Trapp leads his family over the mountains, carrying little Gretl on his back, I’ll be reminded that Jesus Christ plays that starring role in my life. It is the Savior that rescued me. And He continues to carry me over mountains and through valleys to safety, to eternal life with Him.

He is the only knight in shining armor we’ll ever need!

Jesus Christ is our rescuer: the only knight in shining armor we’ll ever need! Share on X

“He brought me out to a wide-open place; He rescued me because He delighted in me” (Psalm 18:19, HCS).

Reflections: Who is the knight in your life? Have you expected too much from your spouse? How has the one perfect Knight rescued you?