Letter To My Son

{Found this in my drafts folder from a couple of years ago...I think it's worth sharing, not sure why I never did.}

My Dear Son,

I feel like I need to try and help you understand why I feel like I do about those shows. I need you to understand it’s not just because I’m being mean or I don’t get it or I’m a stick in the mud or whatever…there’s a reason. A lot of reasons, in fact.

You are right that the bad guys are usually caught and punished (or at least you’re led to believe they get punished) what you’re overlooking is the bad guys. Yes, the good guys win and the bad guys don’t but those bad guys do something else.

First, they de-sensitize you to the bad things in the world. You see drugs, you see shootings, you see car chases, you see stealing, you see violence…you hear all sorts of vulgar things, profanity, talk of sacred things that have been made filthy by the world and guess what? You hear them enough, they don’t shock you anymore. You have slowly come to accept them as just part of life. I’m not saying that means you think they’re okay because I don’t believe you do. I’m saying that the more you hear and see those things, the less they shock you so you aren’t as quick to recognize them as bad.

Secondly, whether they intend to or not, they glorify those things we know are not okay. We sometimes talk about kids who will do anything for attention, even bad things because any attention is better than no attention. This is kinda the same thing. By watching these things, we’re giving them attention and by giving them that kind of attention, we’re glorifying them. I don’t think that’s your intention in watching them, but it’s still a reality.

Third, when you constantly immerse yourself in those things (violent shows, cop shows, fighting games, weapons, etc., etc.) your mind is filled with those things. Yes, it’s perfectly normal to be interested in that kind of stuff. I get it, but there are limits. You can’t constantly fill your mind and heart with things of that nature and expect there to be room for good and wholesome things.

Finally, like your mind, when our home is filled with those things, the spirit that abides here is not the one we want. Like it or not, violent shows invite the spirit of contention into our home. We have been told over and over and over that our homes should be a place of refuge from the world. Does that mean we block all of the world out? Of course not.

As you get older, I understand you’re going to want to make your own choices and do the things you want to do. And, whether I approve or not, you’ll do those things. I know that. My hope is that I can help arm you to make the right decisions. I want you to be able to fulfill the things you were sent to do; I want you to be happy; I want you protected from the nastiness that’s overtaking the world you are inheriting; I want you to value yourself and to always know that you ARE the son of a King with a divine purpose; I want you to know it’s okay to make stupid mistakes (we all do); I want to help you know how to recognize evil when it’s near and to stand up to it; I want you to see the good in people & the world around you.

I love you kiddo and I’m sorry if sometimes my trying to help you see the better choice comes off as being bossy & unreasonable. I just want to do what is right for you & what I think our Father in Heaven would want me to do. I don’t always get it right. I know that. I try though. That’s the best I can do. I always love you though. Always.

Mom