What has happened in our world that has turned America's younger generation into idolizing, pathetic fans? (I stopped short of adding "stalker-ish" here, but I feel like everyone has Twitter, Instagram and Facebook these days, and you can see for yourself and make your own judgments).
I'll tell you what: God. His absence. His banishment from schools, restaurants, and stores.
I'm so sick and tired of the retail industry banking on God, but not giving Him the credit. Example: Many stores put all of their faith in the "Christmas shopping season." Why? Because people will shop then. So they will (occasionally) use the word "Christmas" in their advertising - because they can make money off of it. This is why we don't support Black Friday as much as possible. (We did make some basic, needed purchases from Fred Meyer on Black Friday this year. But we purchased no gifts - therefore, we cannot be counted in true "Black Friday shopping" figures).
But this goes so much further and deeper.
For me, I'd rather read stories about God's glory being emulated through a construction manager and an extraordinary elderly woman. About a newborn being declared dead and shocking all human reason and doctor's logic and coming back to life. And of course, I'd rather read the Bible. (No link for the most important one, the last one? Intentional. Go grab your hard copy - you won't be sorry).
In our home, we do not allow Harry Potter books, witchcraft games, or anything related to Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus. Why? Because it's all the same - empty. That's not to say that we don't enjoy a good book (me; not Robert - unless it's a sports biography...and then all bets are off), or movie, or TV on DVD. We aren't perfect. But we've chosen specifically to withhold the things mentioned above (and some others) from our home because we feel the most strongly that they would hurt our child. We listen to secular music, we watch secular TV, and we let our daughter have exposure to a world bright and full of color, art, music and love. But we will not willingly and/ or knowingly let her have access to such emptiness, bleak and desperate attempts at fame, and completely worthless worldly fortune.
We're also realists. We know our daughter will one day ask to watch a movie we don't approve of for her. We know she'll have a crush. We know she'll get hurt. We know she'll lie. But we will not blame it on "oh, she's a typical little girl," because that will turn into "oh, she's a typical teenage girl," and that will turn into "oh, she's a typical, worldly, pathetic, empty, destined-for-a-life-of-sadness young woman who is desperate for attention because we didn't pay enough to her when she was growing up."
Let me tell all of my readers this: My daughter can watch Duck Dynasty, 19 Kids & Counting, The United Bates of America, Little People Big World, Sesame Street, Berenstein Bears, Elmo, and pretty much anything else on Sprout that she wants. You know why? These shows aren't just entertainment. A lot of them are Christians who refuse to hide their faith from reality TV cameras! There are even other shows on our list that we (Robert and I) watch that have similar themes, but totally different convictions than we have - and we think that's healthy. For us. Elizabeth won't be old enough to know and discern the differences for years. I want her to be a strong Proverbs 31 woman (you know, the one I still try to be?)
The bottom line here is that we refuse to let bad media, desperate "stars" and Hollywood ruin our baby's innocence. We want her to have a firm foundation in the Lord, have an appreciation for music and the arts, be a productive woman, and never settle for "just enough."
WHO IS WITH ME?
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