Today's Devotional

May 10, 2005

Subject:  It's All Fun And Games Until They Grow Up

Titus 1:6 - "A spiritual leader must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife and have children who are believers. His children shouldn't be known for having wild lifestyles or being rebellious."

A friend sent me a video of a little girl who could have been no older than 18 months.  In the video it appeared that the little girl's older brother was  introducing her as a star performer as she climbed out of the entertainment center drawer.  She came out and began to stomp and twist to the heavy beat and music that was playing.  Then she turned around as if displaying her backside and then raised up her shirt.  Initially I was laughing, but at the instant I saw the little girl raise her shirt, instantly my mind did a fast forward and I saw much of what we see from Britney Spears and other performers who have little regard for modesty in their acts.  

As a father of girls, I've often dealt with the want-to-be-cute syndrome that I think many kids go through when they see their friends and others wearing things that are contradictory to the modesty that I deem as the rule.  Many times it's done in the name of "being cute."  Many adults buy into that.  However, I've always wondered that if it's cute at 4 or 5 years old, then why isn't it cute at 6 or 7, and if it's cute then, why not 9 or 10 and then where does it stop?  Can you let a child do something for 10 years and then tell them one day that they can't do it?

In today's homes, the spiritual leader must step up and take responsibility for the conduct of the household and all within.  Children need to have boundaries on what they can watch and what can and can't be worn.  While much of what they do and wear may appear cute when they are toddlers and pre-adolescents, when they carry it into their teenage years, it becomes sensuality and vulgarity.   Set the boundaries early because it's all fun and games until they grow up.

Carlen