Choosing right doesn't just happen!

The old adage "Garbage in, garbage out" has been at the forefront of our thinking lately. It is our job to protect our children...as best we can...so when they are confronted with ungodly things, they can choose the right!  God's Word says that children are a heritage of the Lord. 
When I think of a heritage...I think of something that you pass on.  You take great care to keep it safe.  Our children don't belong to us...they belong to God!  Are we protecting God's children from the garbage of this world?  Or are we carefully picking through the garbage...thinking that some of it is ok?!  God has blessed us with many people who have a talent to encourage us as parents.  He gives us leaders in our churches who can point us in the right direction when choosing encouragement.  We need to be discerning!
There are many things we do in our home to protect this heritage from the Lord.  It isn't an easy job.  It is a constant vigilance.  We must guard what we, as parents, allow to fill our minds...first!  We have to be able to think clearly...and biblically!  Our children are quick to pick up on our weaknesses.  They hear it in the words we choose and what we listen to each day.  They see it in the plans we make and the items we buy.  They see it in the importance we place on things in our life.  Our example is creating the next generation!  I see how much our children are influenced by us.  Then I see how much they are influenced by others...especially now as they are getting older.  They are noticing the differences in what we do verses others.  God is going to hold us accountable for how we care for His heritage! 
Our desire is to base what we do and why we do it on God's Word.  We are finding out that it isn't the popular way to parent these days...because it is hard work. One wonderful tool that is available to all...Patch the Pirate cds.  What a wonderful encouragement to parents!  In the busyness of our lives, there are tools to help Christian parents rear their children according to God's way.  Sad to say, we don't take time to ask those who know and we flail around in our ignorance.  We don't even put forth the simple effort to get our children under the preaching and teaching of God's Word on a consistent basis.  We can't figure out why some days are so difficult!  What do you expect to happen?  We are confusing our children!  They have no idea what is right to think and do...because we have no idea what is right.  We end up turning on the television and letting our children fill up on Sponge Bob...because "it is cute...it is funny...and it keeps the kids entertained..."  Then we act all flustered when our children speak to us with sassy, disrespectful words or bounce off the walls with crazy behavior.  What did you think would happen?  You can't allow children (or yourself) to have a steady diet of disrespectful inuendo and expect something different.  Your tolerance in little things...will lead to much bigger battles later.  What you allow young children to participate in and with...will be maginified as they grow up.  How cute will it be then?!  God expects children to do right too!  "Even a child...is known by his doings...whether his works be pure...and whether they be right."  Children can't do right...if the adults in their lives aren't doing right!  Children learn what they live!
So...we choose to protect our children by striving to fill their minds with Godly principles that will make our life peaceful and their lives hopeful and blessed!  We fill up on Patch th Pirate and Godly music.  We carefully monitor what they watch!  We don't allow the accepted ratings to determine if our children will watch something.   As Ted and I hear the Patch cds again, we are amazed at how many of the songs we remember!  Those truths made an impact on our thinking...a good impact!  The kids finally are enjoying the adventures of Patch and the gang! (We tried before and "it is too scary" or "why did they stop singing again?" They get the whole idea now!!!)  We know that God's truths will be cemented with these wonderful characters and message!  That is the type of message we want our children's minds to be filled with on a daily basis.  The Bible says that God's Word does not return void.  Choosing right doesn't just happen...it is a daily decision...that must be taught and lived out in the lives of God's people.  His truth will stand...even when surrounded by the garbage of this world!