Japanese Drama Review 7 - Hanayori Dango Episode 1 - Makino's Family Choices

Often we make choices based on appearances. We have a goal in mind and we look for experiences, circumstances and people who will facilitate the achievement of what we want. However, when our goal becomes our idol we may become blinded by the realities around us. We justify our choices and the things we do to realize our dream. What we choose exposes the depth of our reality – who we really are. Do we compromise or do we stick with what we know to be true, honorable, pure, lovely, commendable and of excellence.

What is exposed in us when we’ve been blindsided by our goals is what we need to pay attention to. If something becomes so important that we compromise our faith, and the principles of Christian living then we need to evaluate our need for the object of our attention. What does the thing, the goal we want achieved say about our spiritual reality?

I thought of this as I considered the introductory scenes of the first episode of Hana Yori Dango. Makino’s comments on Eitoku as a distinguished private school catering to high society. It is an escalator from kindergarten to university. The school is admired by outsiders who believe it to be the right step to advanced academia – the best universities. However, Makino wonders if they would think the same if they understood the reality of the school and the influence of the F4’s who seem to control the school. As the story unfolds we grow to understand Makino’s comments.

Although I admire Makino’s parents’ desire for their daughter to excel as well as their commitment and sacrifice to provide anything and everything they can for her to have the advantages they did not, I question the wisdom of where they have placed Makino. Questioning them gives us the opportunity to equate those experiences personal to us where we’ve set goals and objectives for our own lives and in the process we have justified all we have done to obtain them.

Makino states she is a commoner, as the episode progresses we know her family sacrifices for the opportunity she has. They sacrifice a whole lot. Much love for Makino is involved in their decision making. However, is this the best choice for Makino, and the best choice for the family? Are the sacrifices made by her parents honoring of the Lord, are they made from a pure heart, or are they covetous? Are they covetous beyond what the family can truly afford? Has the desire for greater opportunities for Makino become an idol? Has their decision making on behalf of their daughter allowed for compromise in light of the long term objective – academic prosperity leading to financial prosperity? These are hard and difficult questions to ask, but they are necessary. Can you ask the same hard questions in your own life?

• Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9).

• The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).

• The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

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