Main Verses: Psalm 139:37 "Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways." (ESV)
Galatians 6:4-5 "Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life." (MSG)
Main Thought: The Power of Creativity
Message:
My husband and I thought about it and talked about it-more than once! We just couldn't do it! We just couldn't imagine how it would be! Then, without planning on it-it happened! What is "it" you ask? We pulled the plug on our TV. Let me explain. When we moved to our current location we went about contacting the regular utility companies to set everything up in our new home. When it came to our cable-we made a decision that we had talked about for quite some time. It wasn't that we couldn't afford it (although it really would have made the budget pretty tight), we chose NOT to have it. So we opted not to have cable, and in that process we also discovered that we couldn't get any local stations with an antenna either. So in making that decision something absolutely amazing happened! The power of creativity came to life. All three kids discovered books, toys, and activities that had been long forgotten. Our son began to color and draw. The girls began reading and playing games.
Please, please hear me when I say that we are not anti-television. We ARE anti-TV that consumes and controls and dictates our time and interaction together as a family. And anti-TV that is used to babysit our kids. I will admit a huge regret-not unplugging sooner. Besides creativity coming to life, I think Adam and I began to have an extra sensitivity to all the filth that is on TV whenever we were at a place we could watch. Commercials filled with inappropriate content, shows that had comedy that was hurtful or disrespectful, and the news-just all bad. After a few months of enjoying a no-TV zone we did add Netflix. We could be selective and there are no commercials! We also use http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ as a wonderful resource when we want to watch a movie or for books and games. We must work to guard the hearts of our children and also help them develop discernment in what they allow in.
Take some time to really consider the amount of time your family devotes to watching TV. Think about the moments that might be slipping by, of after dinner walks, game time, playing in their room with the toys you bought them or reading. God gave us our children to parent and our lives are already full and busy with work and school activities and sports to sit glued to a box all evening, not interacting with the ones we love. If the thought of "unplugging" seems scary-start with one evening a week that is TV/electronic free. You don't have to be the social director of every minute. Begin to talk about it and encourage your kids about all the things they can do instead. It is a frightening thought but it is not impossible and by doing so you will be amazed to watch the power of creativity unleashed. And this doesn't just benefit your kids-you might be surprised what creativity you find has been locked up inside of yourself!
Happy "Unplugged",
Tiffany
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