Ok...Family time...
do you have those in your home?
...Mom cheerleader-enthusiastic..
...Dad suddenly philosophic..
...teenager with pout-when-will-this-be-over..
...9-yr-old standing on head...
Do you get the picture, my friend?
Ok..we tried.
So Mom has lightbulb moment. Multi-media! Go where the youth are dwelling!
So she goes to a Christian bookstore looking for DVDs--naturally, The Cross and The Switchblade [which is always in stock as per sales clerk!] is all sold out. So, on a strict budget, she spies some old Billy Graham movies. Decides to show the one called The Restless Ones the other night.
Well, well, well...while my 14-yr-old was not displaying the avid interest I was so hoping for, my 9-yr-old was showing rapt attention.
Oh dear, Billy was talking to youth about you-know-what.
My younger son commented, "Well, it is helpful to know what is going on in my brother's head, so I can torture him!"
So Mom has lightbulb moment. Multi-media! Go where the youth are dwelling!
So she goes to a Christian bookstore looking for DVDs--naturally, The Cross and The Switchblade [which is always in stock as per sales clerk!] is all sold out. So, on a strict budget, she spies some old Billy Graham movies. Decides to show the one called The Restless Ones the other night.
Well, well, well...while my 14-yr-old was not displaying the avid interest I was so hoping for, my 9-yr-old was showing rapt attention.
Oh dear, Billy was talking to youth about you-know-what.
My younger son commented, "Well, it is helpful to know what is going on in my brother's head, so I can torture him!"
Ok, So much for spiritual lessons!
But he did seem thoughtful when Billy was giving the gospel message later.
But, I have to tell you, the featured song, called "The Restless Ones" was the lamest song that I have ever heard! It is true that Billy was really young in this movie and was completely unaware that this was not the catchiest tune ever.
..My son did do a jig to liven it up a bit.
Anyway, we got to prayer time and prayer requests. My younger son had one for the first time.
How pleased I was!
Then he says, "we really need to pray that whoever wrote that song will get over his mental unwellness!"
But he did seem thoughtful when Billy was giving the gospel message later.
But, I have to tell you, the featured song, called "The Restless Ones" was the lamest song that I have ever heard! It is true that Billy was really young in this movie and was completely unaware that this was not the catchiest tune ever.
..My son did do a jig to liven it up a bit.
Anyway, we got to prayer time and prayer requests. My younger son had one for the first time.
How pleased I was!
Then he says, "we really need to pray that whoever wrote that song will get over his mental unwellness!"
I really do not know if my sons got anything from my new approach, but from the wisdom gained in the past 14 years of watching my children, they are picking up regardless of the actual interest shown.
So, my job is to make sure they get the spiritual input in a language they like, and leave the rest to God!
How neat is that!
So, my job is to make sure they get the spiritual input in a language they like, and leave the rest to God!
How neat is that!
May you be blessed with family times that build warm memories.
Love, Sita
Father, please grant us the wisdom we need to teach our children in their language even as you taught us in ways we could grasp, like your parables. Help us to obey and leave the 'invisible work' to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
1 comment:
Sometimes I think time invested in my family proffers little gain, but then again, I look at my grown sons and know that every intentional investment of time has been worth it.
God's blessings on you and yours as you make this walk to Bethlehem this year.
peace~elaine
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