Scattered. My day; my thoughts; my intents; my life. I think I know so much, because I've seen so much; experienced so much. But it is all scattered. I rarely take time to find where these pieces of experience fit into my life or into what is.
I've recently thought that maybe the best thing I can offer my three little boys is a place for their experiences to fit. A world view. Without one, every experience is just a piece of a puzzle. It may make sense in the moment but without a context, it is meaningless or maybe too meaningful. Or maybe it makes no sense in the moment... a senseless passing. But in the big sceme of things, it is that detail that brings the whole picture together.
My five-year-old is in a stage currently where he askes questions constantly. He asks silly questions that I can't answer like, "Where is that guy going, mommy?" or "How high do I have to jump to touch the sky?" or "What does bird poop taste like?" or "What is IN hair?"
But he also asks great big wonderful questions like, "Why do people do mean things?" or "Where did your grandparents go when they died?" or "Isn't it nice of God to give us all these strawberries, Mommy?" or "Why is it easier to lie than to tell the truth?"
I think the latter questions are the ones that form a world view. And children are desperate for one. Adults are desperate for one too, although many fight against forming one.
It is too easy as a parent to let my child form his own world view from his observations of society. Unfortunately, that is where most people get theirs from. The world is cut-throat. Get it first, get it fast, and do what feels good. Be kind, but only when it results in a gain for you and not a loss.
We have chosen not to celebrate Christmas the way most of Americans do... or Halloween... or Easter.... or the loss of a tooth... I have many Christian friends who follow the trends of these holidays and introduce Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and threatening your neighbors to receive treats from them (Halloween). Is that prude? Maybe.
But the reason we don't conform is grounded in my husband's and my world view and we are intent on passing that clearly to our boys.
Christmas is about God giving his Son, Jesus, into this world to die for others. He IS the nice man who gives gifts. Not santa. Be not confused, my sons.
Easter is about God raising Jesus from the dead. In this we rest our hope of eternity - that we too shall be raised. New Life is in Christ -- not in a prolific, egg laying, giant bunny. Be alert, my sons.
Halloween is strategically placed on the calendar the day (or night) before All Saints Day. (And if you are a believing Christian, you are a Saint according to the Bible.) It is the bachelor party before the wedding, if you will. It is when those who are NOT saints, rise and raise havoc. They are dressed strange, prowl the streets and tell their neighbors they will play a trick on them if they don't give them a treat. Am I over-reacting? I believe that the intent of most parents is totally innocent. However, we must not forget that in EVERYTHING we are creating a world view for our children. This included. If the intent is evil, participating in it validates that intent. Be wise, my sons.
I won't even elaborate on the tooth fairy because I think my point has been made. I cannot scorn the emptiness of the world around us and passively promote it at the same time.
These are small harmless things, right? BUT they all come together to form a worldview for a child. Every puzzle piece, or experience, will (whether I like it or not) be in the final world view my children take with them, from under my wing into the world.
God, pour your Grace upon our children. Help our Yes to be Yes and my No to be No. Help us not just shield our children from darkness, but teach them how to avoid it. And why to avoid it. Above that, may they love the Light. Help them to see the world rightly.
May they learn to love only what is beautiful, and true, and good. Amen.
