Today's talking donkey was my 8 year old daughter. I was at the end of a medical mystery novel and my daughter asked me if I was reading a 'bad' book. We had an interesting conversation about it. In her mind if it had drinking and swearing, it was bad. From what we have taught her about television and movies, she is right. I was surprised by what she pointed out to me. Through our brief exchange I came to realize that in the book I was reading every one of the 10 commandments was broken.
I think this is what is called being 'schooled'. I went to school and learned a lesson on James 1:22- "Be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." I was being a hearer only and deceived myself that I could build up my child in her faith while tearing mine down with the words I was reading.
My husband and I are so careful about what we allow our children to watch on television and what movies we see. For example, I had thought that the movie, "War Games" would be good for a family movie night, but we couldn't get through the first 10 minutes without plentiful "course joking" and swearing. I was disappointed because the storyline was so good, but we just didn't want the language to be bombarding our kids' ears. Most of the time we say that course words aren't sinful, they are just bad habits that don't reflect a life that glorifies God.
Today I learned that it just isn't enough to instruct about right living; I must live it out. I agreed that I would no longer read those books and I am glad. I praise my daughter for her leadership and boldness to confront my faulty thinking.
