I’m late posting this, as I saw this movie two weeks ago and meant to blog about it, but life kept getting in the way.
Breakthrough came out in 2019, so we watched it on tv at home. I enjoy movie theatres less and less as I get older. The quietness of home, available subtitles, and ability to pause the movie for a bio break are much more important than “going out” used to be.
SPOILERS in effect.
Breakthrough is based on a true story of a teenager who fell through the ice and lived. John was underwater over 15 minutes, the Emergency Personnel tried to resuscitate him for another 45 minutes. We all know that without a miracle, even if he came back, he would be a vegetable. But his mother wasn’t hearing any of that.
Enter Mom. We learn that she is actually his adoptive mom, having given up her own baby years before. The woman was moody, and rude. She was packing at least an extra hundred pounds. She was downright nasty to the new Pastor. She also was the bible study teacher. Quite a mixed bag. She didn’t seem up to winning any Christian of the Year awards.
But from the time she heard what happened to her son, she began to move in faith. She prayed, and told the people gathered around that were trying to lend support, that she did NOT want to hear any negative talk. John would live and not die, and if you don’t like it leave.
Next to John’s bed, she cried out, “Holy Spirit, save my son.” Loud faith.
John’s recovery was a long process. He was in a coma, had to be transferred to another hospital for a specialist. The specialist didn’t even believe John would live.
Mom didn’t give up. Soon, others joined in praying with her, some outside the hospital window, others inside the church.
Eventually John woke up, brain intact. He had to do some physical therapy but eventually went back to playing his beloved basketball. When he grew up, he became a coach.
This movie stuck with me because the mom was so realistic. She was no way a perfect person. She was rude and moody; she had a serious food problem. But when she dug her heels in, in faith, and declared that her son would live, and believed God for healing, God moved.
We sometimes think we have to be perfect or at least good for God to move in our lives. But we don’t! We just have to believe.
Grab onto a scripture and speak it out loud.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
SueAnn Porter 