Things have certainly changed, but then again, they have not. "The more things change, the more they stay the same" comes to mind. I suppose my children consider living with no microwave, no satellite/cable TV, no cell phones and Pong instead of Wii the stone ages. Yes, we had to wait for food to cook on the stove, we had to get up to change one of three channels on the TV, we were connected to the phone by a cord with limited range, and we had very primitive computer games. But, most kids still eat macaroni and cheese, watch TV, talk on the phone (or text nowadays) and play computer games. They just have different tools than we did. The games are much cooler now.
All of that brings me to thinking maybe some things do need to change. Modern society dictates that our kids should be involved in as many activities as possible, that both parents should work so that the children can have absolutely everything they want, food must be readily handy and quick to prepare to accommodate our lifestyles, and family time means everyone sitting in the same house with their individual electronic devices texting and facebooking people they never actually talk to. Is this what life is all about? What road is this leading us down?
It is my intention in 2013 to make some major changes with our family. I hope that through positive effects of these changes, others will catch on and want to make similar choices. I will not call these resolutions. I have NEVER kept a new year's resolution and probably won't start now. I am making changes...
Change #1 FOOD
We no longer eat "real" food. Most of the foods people consume today are manufactured and barely resemble the original food God gave us. It has been processed, preserved and packaged to accommodate our fast paced, low effort lifestyle. I am convinced this "fake" food is the root of most illnesses people (including myself) struggle with today. The food we eat this year will contribute to our health and well-being, not detract from it. This will be the biggest struggle of the year with my kids, I am certain. I will do this in baby steps and hope to have made much progress by the end of the year. I will keep you posted.
Change #2 FAMILY TIME
We will eat dinner at the table as a family with no electronic devices around. Only positive conversation will be allowed. No whining or complaining will be tolerated. I haven't figured that one out yet, I will let you know if I do. We will limit eating out to special occasions. We will read together as a family every evening before bed. We will begin each day with a family prayer. Our girls will not begin nor end a day without knowing they are loved by us, but more importantly, by God.
Change #3 COMPASSION
I do not see a lot of compassion in my children. I know most of that is due to their age (one will become a teenager this year :-o ). It is my desire for them to develop a sense for those around them who have different struggles than they do. It is my prayer that God will open a mission opportunity for our family this year. My brother is moving to Jamaica with the Peace Corps. Perhaps I can take my budding teenager to visit and see life in a third-world environment (not the popular beach resorts).
There are more changes I would like to see, such as keeping my house clean and organized, but I have made priorities and I know my limitations! These changes are not listed in order of priority and they all kind of intertwine anyway. I know absolutely that NONE of these changes will be possible on my own, but only with the Grace of God, in His timing. I will ask Him daily for His intervention and wisdom. Perhaps you can pray for us this year, that God will be first in our family and will be glorified by all of our actions and words.
So, to begin this new year, I must now go prepare our very healthy first dinner of the year, persuade my kids to get off the Wii without yelling and gnashing of teeth, and find a good book for us to read (CS Lewis' The Screwtape Letters perhaps). Anyone want to join me in making some changes?
