I've been trying to process my thoughts on this topic for a couple of weeks, but I'd love to hear your input.
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I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.
When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.
At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Ella Beth is 3, and Landon is 2. Everything they watch on TV is animated. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Landon!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.
We read uplifting books and magazines together.
We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.
That's pretty much it.
And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.
Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.
Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.
As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Ella Beth's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.
During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth. Also the North Point AWAKE cd.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)
But what I need is Truth in my life.
I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.
The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.
I want to shelter them.
So I do. As much as motherly possible.
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Do you?
Interesting read.
ReplyDeleteAs a parent, which I am not, I can see wanting to show and instill the best in your children. Too often these days parents don't do that. Kudos to you.
However, in the grand scheme of life it can't always be that way. Sadly the world will not let it. As your kids grow older they will have to experience the world for what it is, imperfect. Of course you are setting a great foundation to build on but at the end of the day they will build what they want in their lives. Even if what they build for a life isn't exactly what you want, as a parent you will need to accept it and love them for who they are. More and more now days future generations need to have "street smarts" to navigate what's out there. If they don't have it the world can eat them up in a heartbeat.
I have been to all parts of the globe and thousands of people have crossed paths with me. I can say that the ones that seem to handle most of what life tosses at us are the ones that have not lived too sheltered of lives. No, I'm not saying go out and get into trouble doing crazy things, not at all. I say live life the best way you know how and in a manner that fits you and your morals best. At the end of the day we are all individuals, we are all different, that's what makes the world go around.
Three cheers for "sheltering!" But I'm gonna go a step furthur and say that this is what we are called to do as Christians. Our lives SHOULD look different than the unbelievers. And it's time for Christians to rise up and to take back our children's exposure to things they should never be exposed to. Your home sounds a lot like mine and I am grateful. I am thankful that God has called us to be different, that our lives don't reflect our culture. Raising godly children doesn't just happen - parents must be intentional and involved! Just like Corinthians says "Do not be deceived: bad company ruins good morals." But first our children need to learn those good morals. And it's a given that friends, today's movies, music, books and culture will not be teaching them.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm preaching to the choir; just wanted to leave my two cents. :)
Greg - Thanks for your two cents. :) I totally understand that my kiddos will have to experience the world for what it is...I do daily. I just hope that having a foundation of what is truly GOOD will prepare them for this imperfect life. That Goodness will instill in them compassion, forgiveness, honesty, modesty, and love. All of which will benefit them well in not only dealing with an imperfect world, but also loving other imperfect people.
ReplyDeleteMegan - It's refreshing to hear that you agree! It's amazing how many Christians DON'T shelter their children. Our home looks very different than most people's we know; some even say we are boring and lame. And we take it as a compliment! You are correct in that parents must be intentional and involved. It's SO EASY to just turn on the tube and take a break (which I do weekly!), but I research what's going into my children's minds and hearts. They are only allowed to watch TV with morals and manners - and those shows are hard to find. It's hard to believe how even cartoons use words like "idiot" and "stupid" or the characters are mean to one another. Almost everything our kiddos watch is on DVDs, not actual TV, b/c the older stuff is so much better. Today, it's about being hip and cool - which, I'm sorry, is NOT what children need! If you lived closer, I'm sure our kiddos would be good friends!