Kent made many good points in his last entry. However, I want to challenge us to consider the impact of performance on our children. Our society spends thousands of dollars each year encouraging people to buy certain clothes, take their children to certain activities, even eat certain foods. The purpose for all of this hype is supposedly to make us stronger, brighter, faster, and worst of all happier. Our children feel the affects the most because advertising has targeted them. They have come to realize that if they convince the tots that they need these things to be happy, the children will nag the parents for them. The advertisers also know that our society is full of parents who are afraid to discipline their children because the kids might not love them anymore. So the moms and dads roll their eyes, sigh, and give in. They believe they are doing good for the child, but in fact they have begun to build a tragedy. This teaches the child that he is only what is on the outside. If he doesn't have the right clothes, play the right sport, eat the right food, he is seen as a loser. Eventually, he will see himself as a loser. Now, I'm not saying that we should stop buying these things, I'm saying temper it with wisdom. If a child believes he needs something, discuss why. Then we have an opportunity to help a child see themselves through God's eyes. God judges the heart not the the clothes. If we teach our children that love of God and others is the most important "clothes" he can wear, he will begin to develop the self esteem everyone is so worried about. When we base our whole existence on our performance, we risk losing ourselves entirely. The world will judge us by what it sees, God will judge us by our hearts. The world is always seeking peace through external battles, God offers peace within each of us. That peace comes when we realize that God isn't out their waiting to blast us for our mistakes; He is there ready to teach, restore, and draw near. If we can begin to understand the position Christ has given us in heaven, we can begin to see ourselves as winners regardless of our social standing. As parents, we must not fall prey to the belief that we have to have every new gadget, house,car...you fill in the blank. If we make decisions based on wisdom from God, we will be showing our children what true winners look like. It all starts from the inside, everything else is just icing on the cake. Self-esteem doesn't come from things, it comes from the knowledge that no matter what I do, I am loved. |
