What are we feeding our kids?

"Kids like what you feed them!"  That's my new favorite quote.  It's true with food, music,books, entertainment, clothes, anything.  People are shocked when they see our kids eat green peppers and cucumbers like candy, but they are just a staple that's constantly put with a meal.
Did you know that kids can learn to like foods that they detest just by trying them every so often.  We laugh at this because we've turned around so many dislikes just by tasting it.  Kids who used to hate lasagna or broccoli are amazed that they are now favorites!
I find myself puzzled when someone complains that their kids watch too much TV or computer games, and then uses the withdrawal of them as a punishment.  To me it sends a mixed message, it shows the parents importance on these things to the child. If we pull something, reading and piano are the first to go, we want them to know those are top on our list. 
Books are a very important aspect to take careful consideration!  They are a fantastic way to place importance on reading.  We include books on almost every gift.  They can shape and pull a child in many directions.  It's easy to start an appetite in things that may or may not be fruitful, so we are very picky! 
If kids are fed classical music and hymns, and this is what is listened to at home, they will develop an appreciation for that kind of music as well.  We also have added books on music that teach us what to look out for in the snare of 'worldly music'.
If we come across an attitude or a behavior that is unpleasant, we ask ourselves, "What is feeding it?"  There is almost always a source, it may be external, but it may be a slack on our part as well in teaching and training. 
Children don't just grow up by accident, they are shaped, molded and guided.  Their appetites are formed.   They learn from us, and imitate their parents more than anyone!  I pray we constantly take our role as parents seriously and humbly seek the Lord's help and guidance daily!  And ask ourselves, what are we making them hungry for? 

2 Titus 3:15  You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

To be discreet...

That's part of the Titus 2 commission.  Some Bible translations put is as:  to live wisely and be pure,  to be self-controlled and pure, [to be] discreet, chaste, [to be] sober-minded, chaste.  And Titus 2 6-8 continue on with "Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded in all things showing yourself [to be] a pattern of good works; in doctrine [showing] integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,  sound speech that cannot be condemned".  Those are strong words and give me more to think on the more I read and meditate on them. 

This has been a tough subject, especially while raising teenagers (boys and girls) in this day and age.  I'm not certain where it all begins, two year olds love the freedom of running around with no clothes, but how does a young girl become comfortable in public with most of her body showing?  I often wonder the full process it takes for one to be comfortable or if she just has a stronger desire to fit in and conform.  I have heard several mom's convictions on modesty, but yet their daughters exhibit that they don't share it.  I hope that is a battle I never loose, and I think I would fight till my death on it.  We have never struggled, never argued on what to bring in to our home, if a garment is questionable it's not worth it and it gets plucked quickly.  There are no piles of clothes that are okay for one occasion and not another.  No clothes that are okay for one group of friends and not another.  I think such hypocrisy defeats any and all morals.

I'm strongly convicted that such standards have to be all across the board.  From swimming, to weddings, to private parties, to family time.  NO exceptions!  If we have a heart to honor God in this commandment, then that heart shouldn't change to suit our earthly, daily needs.

We have modest swim suits and in comparison to my youth, I was amazed how much more I enjoyed my time not thinking if I needed to adjust something or what someone might see.  I'm very comfortable when someone walks up to me and I could talk to them void of feeling conscientious.  I even had someone say, "I knew you were 'religious' by your suits", so testimonies are told in every area of our lives
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In trying to come up with a post I don't think that I could top what my daughter Megan wrote on her blog so I just copied it:

A Sense of Shame

In Genesis 3, Eve reached out and ate the forbidden fruit, introducing sin to our world. The first thing she noticed – the first thought that ran through her head – was that she was naked. And what was her response? She made herself a covering.

She knew. The original innocence was gone. Sin brought a sense of shame that had been previously nonexistent.

When God came into the garden, Eve knew what she had done. She, as the serpent had promised, knew all things, both good and evil. And she realized that what she had done was evil.

What happened next – God cursed the serpent, the man, and the woman, and sent them away from the garden. The other thing that He did was clothe them.

With sin came this sense of shame – a need to be covered. It was one of God’s first actions toward fallen man – to provide a suitable covering.

Today, it seems that most girls have left that sense of shame far behind.

Completing the Picture

What is this a picture of?

This is one half of a stick figure. What does your brain automatically do when it sees the figure? It completes the picture, right?

 This is not a bad thing – this is just the way our brain works. We can complete pictures based on the minimal information we see.

This is why modesty is vital – because our minds are made to complete pictures.

Girls, when we are wearing clothing that reveals too much, we are showing part of a picture – a picture that was not meant for just anyone to see. We are inviting anyone who happens to see us to complete that picture.

We could do our brothers in Christ such a service if we put more thought and discretion into what we put on in the morning. Short skirts and low blouses are made to show more than is appropriate and to intentionally to gain the wrong kind of attention.

Girls, I beg you – be known as a modest girl, grow into a modest woman. You might have to go against the fashion. You might be the odd one out. Your friends might make fun of you – but that’s okay! It is better to be pure in the sight of God then to fit in with the rest of the world.

1 Timothy 2:9 – That women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation.

1 Peter 3:3 – Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

God’s command is modesty. That doesn’t mean we have to dress frumpy. It does mean that we are to cover ourselves decently; but even more than that, we are to strive to be pleasing in the sight of God – to be a woman of God in the ‘hidden person of the heart’.

Our clothing sends a message to the world around us. It can communicate “I am loved. I am a child of God, and I seek His approval”; or, it can say “I want attention, and I do not value God’s standards”. What message is your clothing sending?

If you desire to learn more about pleasing God with your clothing choices, I have two resources that I highly recommend. Number one is Nancy Leigh Demoss’ radio series entitled “Modesty: Does God really care what I wear?” My Mom says this is the most thorough study she’s ever seen done on this topic; and I agree. This is an excellent, practical study. You can read it online or download the audio, but this is one series you need to go through.

The second resource is the Rebelution modesty survey: www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey This survey is hundreds of Christian guys answering girl’s questions on modesty. I would really encourage you girls to spend some time reading on the site, especially the text responses for each question. You will come away with a better understanding of what modest dress is, and you will be further encouraged to strive for modesty yourself.

Thanks to Megan Leach and Fleur Allen for some of the ideas in this post.

I also might add "The Public Undressing of America" as another great resource.
I pray that we allow God's Word to direct our path, our thinking and our convictions!  And I pray that we always have the spine to uphold and stand true to His commandments!

Joshua 1:8  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  

James 1:23-25  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues (in it), and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 

Psalm 119:9  How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it according to Your word.