Old Fashioned Paths

     "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old path, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)  "Because my people have forgotten Me, they have burned incense to worthless idols. And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways, from the ancient paths, to walk in pathways and not on a highway..."  (Jeremiah 18:15)
     The old way, the old path, the safe way, all sound so old fashioned. Even character, chastity, duty and morality seem passe! Louisa May Alcott's Old Fashioned Girl focused on teaching young men and women of her era the value of timeless virtue through the character of Polly Milton.  Her virtue definitely paid off in the end.
      A critical reviewer of the contemporary movie about Christian courtship, Old Fashioned, said, "Well this (referring to content of the movie) explains why people prefer to follow the wrong path, rather than what is right..." Obviously, the movie was painful to the reviewer, but the brief quote acknowledges that he agrees that there is a right and wrong path to marriage.
      To me, the movie Old Fashioned is a refreshing diversion from modern romance.  It is a truly romantic story, because it honors the old path...the right way...a pure, moral approach to getting to know someone of the opposite sex for potential marriage. Yes, the lead character, Clay Walsh, went overboard in his old fashioned morality to the point that he almost lost the "pretty" girl,Amber, but the virtue he displayed made him the most dashing of moral men.  I found  the movie very inspiring and full of food for meaningful discussion: a great conversation starter; not only for the young, but also the mature.
       The flaw that Clay had to confront was one he could not see in himself: a lack of outgoing concern. He was so wrapped up in his standards that he forgot about the other person and forgot to love. Loving and respecting seem to be old fashioned ideas, too.  Many modern relationships focus on self-love and one's own needs.  As Audrey Hepburn put it, "It's that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second. This was the whole ethic by which I was brought up.  Others matter more than you do, so  'don't fuss, dear; get on with it.'"      
        As God said through Jeremiah, "Ask for the old path, where the good way is..." What is the value of that choice or choices? Why choose morality, virtue, respect and love? Why were the choices of Polly and Clay good, right and worthwhile?  God also said, "Then you will find rest..."   That sounds like old fashioned happiness to me!