Not Cool
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea."
- Mark 9:42
Shortly after I had grandchildren, I learned an important lesson. I don't know why I hadn't learned this with my own kids. I think I was just too busy to notice. Anyway, I learned the concept of "monkey see, monkey do" is really true. Down to the smallest thing. Children copy what they see others do. It's the only way they learn how to do things, by watching how others interact in the world. It's why it is so important that we try to be sure that everything they see and hear is appropriate, something they can learn positive things from. As a child, teen, and young adult, I participated in many things I should not have. Probably one of the most damaging things to me still today are the images I placed in my mind. Once there, those images have a habit of reappearing at random times many, many years later. I will be doing something totally innocent, and an image or thought will just pop into my mind from the past. No matter how I try to stop these thoughts, they continue to return. I hate it.
Before I get any further into this post, let me say that I strongly believe there is no sin that is worse than another. In God's eyes,I believe sin is sin. So, we should carefully consider what types of things our children and grandchildren see, hear, and experience. They are a lot like sponges.....they take things in constantly, and inevitably when "wrung out" they retain some of what has been taken in. We need to be sure that, as much as we can control it, they take in good and pure things so that is what they will keep.
This is very difficult to control these days. Even Disney programs, what we used to consider safe, are no longer always appropriate for children. I know my daughter limits some of those programs because the children in them are sassy, rude, and disrespectful. These are not traits we want the kids to copy and retain. I remember as a child my son had a really good friend who was kind of ornery. We used to tell Garrett, when he showed signs of the same types of behavior, that if he was going to play with this particular child he'd better be careful how he acted or we would stop letting them play together.
Books are another thing we need to be careful with. Many of the most popular authors use profanity, witchcraft themes, sexual content, and other inappropriate things in their books. When children are developing their understanding of what's normal and right in the world, the influence of what they read can be very powerful. This is especially true when the culture and their friends show approval of these themes.
It's also important to bring up what goes on at school. When we question the kids about their day, we are opening up the possibility of discussion that may lead them to share confusing or inappropriate ideas they have picked up . This is when we can help them to understand what is truth and what is not in what they have experienced.
We can't watch everything that goes into their minds. After carefully considering what we allow them to see, we have to trust they will come to us with any other questions or confusions they face. That is why I was so concerned after what happened last weekend.
Mother's Day was a great day at my house. I was able to see both of my children and some of my grandchildren. My daughter and her family stayed all day, and we had a wonderful time. We were sitting at the picnic table in the back yard talking, when my 11 year old grandson announced what he had seen on one of the sports information shows. In my naiveté, I assumed if he was watching anything on tv, sports should be relatively safe. Wrong. As you all know, after the NFL draft, one player who has become the first openly gay player was interviewed about being chosen. Mason went on to tell us about the infamous "kiss" we have all heard about. My impressionable 11 year old grandson was discussing this display of intimacy between two men. I was very upset.
I am not a "homophobic" . But I do consider it sin, just as I do the sassy Disney characters. I don't want children exposed to a display of either of these things. I think I was so disturbed because I had considered sports "safe". Well, not anymore I guess. As each day passes, our society becomes more and more inundated with sin presented as acceptable, even desired behavior. As a matter of fact, another NFL player who expressed disgust at this event was fined and ordered to attend a "re-education" camp before returning to activities with his team. Apparently this player's freedom of speech is less important than Michael Sam's right to display his sin on national television. It's all very scary to me.
My mom recently broke her hip. She is making a remarkable recovery at 90, and we are all very grateful. She starts working with her physical therapist using a cane today. I expect she will be able to give up her new walker soon. With that in mind, we wondered if we should even purchase the walker. As mom said, she's not getting any younger, so we kept the walker in case it was needed again. Our society is not getting any more godly either. It continues to get worse and worse over time. We're going to have to keep actively watching what our children see, hear, and do from now on. I just don't think it's going to get any better any time soon.
Shortly after I had grandchildren, I learned an important lesson. I don't know why I hadn't learned this with my own kids. I think I was just too busy to notice. Anyway, I learned the concept of "monkey see, monkey do" is really true. Down to the smallest thing. Children copy what they see others do. It's the only way they learn how to do things, by watching how others interact in the world. It's why it is so important that we try to be sure that everything they see and hear is appropriate, something they can learn positive things from. As a child, teen, and young adult, I participated in many things I should not have. Probably one of the most damaging things to me still today are the images I placed in my mind. Once there, those images have a habit of reappearing at random times many, many years later. I will be doing something totally innocent, and an image or thought will just pop into my mind from the past. No matter how I try to stop these thoughts, they continue to return. I hate it.
Before I get any further into this post, let me say that I strongly believe there is no sin that is worse than another. In God's eyes,I believe sin is sin. So, we should carefully consider what types of things our children and grandchildren see, hear, and experience. They are a lot like sponges.....they take things in constantly, and inevitably when "wrung out" they retain some of what has been taken in. We need to be sure that, as much as we can control it, they take in good and pure things so that is what they will keep.
This is very difficult to control these days. Even Disney programs, what we used to consider safe, are no longer always appropriate for children. I know my daughter limits some of those programs because the children in them are sassy, rude, and disrespectful. These are not traits we want the kids to copy and retain. I remember as a child my son had a really good friend who was kind of ornery. We used to tell Garrett, when he showed signs of the same types of behavior, that if he was going to play with this particular child he'd better be careful how he acted or we would stop letting them play together.
Books are another thing we need to be careful with. Many of the most popular authors use profanity, witchcraft themes, sexual content, and other inappropriate things in their books. When children are developing their understanding of what's normal and right in the world, the influence of what they read can be very powerful. This is especially true when the culture and their friends show approval of these themes.
It's also important to bring up what goes on at school. When we question the kids about their day, we are opening up the possibility of discussion that may lead them to share confusing or inappropriate ideas they have picked up . This is when we can help them to understand what is truth and what is not in what they have experienced.
We can't watch everything that goes into their minds. After carefully considering what we allow them to see, we have to trust they will come to us with any other questions or confusions they face. That is why I was so concerned after what happened last weekend.
Mother's Day was a great day at my house. I was able to see both of my children and some of my grandchildren. My daughter and her family stayed all day, and we had a wonderful time. We were sitting at the picnic table in the back yard talking, when my 11 year old grandson announced what he had seen on one of the sports information shows. In my naiveté, I assumed if he was watching anything on tv, sports should be relatively safe. Wrong. As you all know, after the NFL draft, one player who has become the first openly gay player was interviewed about being chosen. Mason went on to tell us about the infamous "kiss" we have all heard about. My impressionable 11 year old grandson was discussing this display of intimacy between two men. I was very upset.
I am not a "homophobic" . But I do consider it sin, just as I do the sassy Disney characters. I don't want children exposed to a display of either of these things. I think I was so disturbed because I had considered sports "safe". Well, not anymore I guess. As each day passes, our society becomes more and more inundated with sin presented as acceptable, even desired behavior. As a matter of fact, another NFL player who expressed disgust at this event was fined and ordered to attend a "re-education" camp before returning to activities with his team. Apparently this player's freedom of speech is less important than Michael Sam's right to display his sin on national television. It's all very scary to me.
My mom recently broke her hip. She is making a remarkable recovery at 90, and we are all very grateful. She starts working with her physical therapist using a cane today. I expect she will be able to give up her new walker soon. With that in mind, we wondered if we should even purchase the walker. As mom said, she's not getting any younger, so we kept the walker in case it was needed again. Our society is not getting any more godly either. It continues to get worse and worse over time. We're going to have to keep actively watching what our children see, hear, and do from now on. I just don't think it's going to get any better any time soon.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
- Hebrews 10:24-25
I guess age has made me one of those people I thought silly as a young person. I just can't imagine how much worse things are going to get before God calls a halt to all of this. Until He does, however, it is important we consider the children. All of us reading this have children, grandchildren, and/or acquaintances we need to protect. Don't remain silent. Encourage, instruct, pray. The only thing that will protect our loved ones in this crazy world is a strong relationship with Christ and a knowledge of the Word. Because of the hard lessons we have learned, it is our responsibility to help younger ones understand this is all they can rely on. This is Truth, not the garbage thrown at us in society. We have a mission......a calling to be that older fuddy-duddy who tells our loved ones how it REALLY is. It may not be "cool"....but it's eternal.
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