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Aug. 17, 2009
Swashbuckling Sans Pirates
We had a noisy morning. As I sat on the sofa and nursed the baby, my other two youngest boys (4 and 1) were swashbuckling: yelling loudly, brandishing swords, and jumping off things (namely, our cast-iron and limestone coffee table). They were having a grand time, and I was laughing while I watched them.
If you have read my posts on children's appetites and training children in idolatry, you'll know where I'm going with this: What's up with all the pirate stuff? Why do parents mindlessly let children play pirates? Pirate birthday parties, pirate toys, pirate books and coloring books, pirate costumes, and even pirate ship playgrounds. Since when are pirates cute or fun? Pirates are criminal! In real life, pirates murder, steal, rape, pillage, drink, and who knows what else (need I list more?). If we encourage our children to imitate pirates and enjoy "being a pirate," what message are we sending?
Sigh. Parents, we must be mindful.
I can scratch the surface a little bit deeper, if you like. Read on, if you dare:
What about dinosaurs? Have you thought about the caution and discernment you must use if your little one LOVES dinosaurs? (And no, I'm not talking about creation vs. evolution.) First of all, how did he come to love them? Was he trained to think they were cool and interesting, and then pushed on him because it's normal for little boys to love them? Why is it normal? Because that's just what little boys like? Does he have dinosaur pajamas, dinosaur toys, dinosaur bedding, dinosaur underwear? Is there not a fine line between love of dinosaurs to the love of lizards, snakes, frogs, and other such creatures? And, how easy is it to take an interest in dragons when they are so much like dinosaurs? What types of things are associated with dragons? Is Satan dulling our senses so we don't even recognize him for what he is?
I'm not saying ban dinosaurs from your house--that's ridiculous. I'm saying, "Parents, we must be mindful." God created dinosaurs. We can be in awe--of the Creator, not the creature. We should not mindlessly fill our children's hearts and minds with the "creature" instead of the Creator.
What about horses? Dogs? Cats? Frogs? Fish? Rabbits? Have you encouraged an unhealthy obsession or idolatry with a particular type of animal based on your child's interests? How often do we decorate our children's rooms with horses, or sea creatures, or some other "love." How much have we contributed to or encouraged silly collections (pigs, panda bears, giraffes, blah, blah, blah...), telling everyone how much they LOVE that animal?
I'm not saying ban animals.
We should teach our children to appreciate and admire all the wonders of God's creation. We should study, learn, observe, and enjoy.
But, we must be mindful.
Are we teaching our children to worship the Creator or the created? Are we filling their hearts and minds with the Creator, or the created?
And back to the swashbuckling. Who are we allowing our children to "worship" as heroes? This time last year, I was not letting my boys follow after Superman, or Spiderman, or any other such superhero. I never have. But I don't think I thought much about my little boys owning a pirate coloring book, or wearing a plastic eye patch while clashing swords. But God is gracious and continues to grow our family. Now I think quite a lot about it.
Swords are great fun and can be quite manly, valiant, and noble.
Pirates are none of these things. I don't care how Hollywood spins it, or how cute the birthday party package is--treasure chest cake and all.
Parents, we must be mindful. The world is everywhere, waiting to claim our children through the most "innocent" of fun.
Let's keep our eyes on our Creator and with all our hearts strive to glorify Him, especially with how we train our children! For of such is the kingdom of God!
Blessings and prayers to you all,
Mrs. E |
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Posted by Anonymous 
Aug. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment