It is no big surprise that we have seriously declined in
appropriate entertainment in this country.
Good wholesome movies, shows, and music are getting harder and harder to
come upon and even cartoons have to be screened first before letting the kids
loose. I’m stunned at the things parents
allow their kids to watch on TV and the music they’re allowed to listen to
these days. Lyrics and shows filled with
disrespect for their elders, inappropriate relationships, vile language,
immodest clothing, etc. It is our
responsibility as their parents to guard what goes into their minds through
entertainment and also calls for some unpopular decisions to be made. We had to make a tough decision just last
night about a video game that we didn’t have peace about. After explaining it
to our son, he was in agreement that it, in no way, was beneficial to him. Was
he excited about it? No. But he respects our decisions. I am thankful that my
children understand the tough decisions we have to make in our home as we
follow in obedience to our Heavenly Father.
Though they haven’t always been thrilled about it, they understand that “everything is permissible but not everything
is beneficial” (1 Cor. 10:23).
Even though it is getting harder to come across good
entertainment venues, they are still around. We try to find movies and TV shows
that promote wholesome family values and in a lot of cases, great spiritual
insight. There are still movies that show respect for people and don’t have to
be bleeped out every other word, entertainment that can just be fun. We see the
wonderful benefits of these things and the impact it has on attitudes and
behaviors. Just last night, I was
watching “Little House on the Prairie” with Caleb and I was moved to tears in
just the first few minutes as not only wholesome values were being portrayed,
but also strong biblical truths boldly expressed. The values of families praying together,
depending on God for their every need, and serving others by being the hands
and feet of Christ.
It was a wake up call that really made me want to be more
proactive in the things that are going into my children’s minds and also in my
own mind. I want to be able to proclaim Philippians 4:8 boldly which says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate
on these things.”
This world is not G-rated anymore! As parents, we have such
a brief time with our kids at home to be able to instill biblical, wholesome
values in them. Before we know it, they
will be out on their own and we pray that the foundations we set will be
ingrained in them in such a way that God is their source when questions
arise. When they are faced with
temptations we pray they will have the courage to turn to God instead of what
they saw on the mainstream media. When they look for relationships, we pray
they find Christ-like qualities in people instead of celebrity looks or
behaviors. When navigating through the
difficulties of life, we pray that they use God’s Word as their guide and not succumb
to what the news media preaches.
Guiding our children in a dark world is not for the faint of
heart. It is a huge responsibility but
also a great honor to direct our children in the truths of God’s Word. We are
committed to going the distance no matter how challenging it becomes. I pray that other parents choose to be
unpopular. I pray that other parents will take a stand and be a true parent to
their children instead of their best friend. I pray that other parents learn to
say “no”, and I pray that other parents find the true joy of parenting in the
example we have in our Heavenly Father.
We have one opportunity to parent these precious children! I
want to make it count!
“Hear, O
Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is
one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be
in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk
of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie
down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and
they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the
doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy
6:4-9
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