IT’S OK JUNIOR.. DADA LOVES YOU!

By 𝑰𝒎𝒂 𝑰𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒐-𝑳𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒛

While watching Despicable Me 4, a scene moved me. It was during the battle between the main character, Gru, and the villain. The villain had kidnapped Gru’s son and transformed him into a cockroach-like creature, just like himself. Throughout the fight, he cruelly taunted Gru, insisting that his son no longer belonged to him.

What made the scene especially heartbreaking was that the son, under the villain’s hypnosis, began to fight against his own father. Blow after blow, he helped to hurt—and almost destroy—Gru. When it seemed Gru could no longer hold on, teetering on the edge of a high tower, he looked into his son’s eyes and, with love, said, “It’s OK. Junior, Dada loves you.” He repeated it, his voice full of tenderness and acceptance.

That moment pierced me. Despite the chaos and betrayal, the father’s love remained steadfast. I found myself tearing up, moved by the depth of emotion in that simple, powerful exchange.

After hearing his father’s voice, Junior snapped out of his hypnosis. Something deep inside him awakened, and he turned against the villain to protect his dad. In an incredible twist, father and son fought side by side—united at last—and together, they defeated the villain.

This may just be a simple animated movie for kids, but it struck me deeply. In that moment, I felt God speaking straight to my heart. It was as if He was gently saying, “Sometimes, you’re like Junior—you get pulled toward the enemy’s voice, swayed by lies and confusion. But I’m still here, like the father, never giving up, always fighting to bring you back.”

And it’s true. What anchors me and gives me the strength to keep going, to fight back, and become a better person isn’t my own effort or willpower. It’s the realization that God loves me fully and unconditionally.

It’s the same love that transformed Mary Magdalene, the same love that made Peter rise after his failure and become the rock of the Church. It’s that kind of love—one that sees our darkest parts, yet chooses to stay. The kind that doesn’t shame but redeems. That’s what changes everything.

#GOTO #GodOfTheOrdinary #WFALoveConnects