Hello! Wouldn't you know it, yesterday morning started off with some snags? Since I've been sick, I've been sleeping in to catch up on some much needed rest. I got up, fed Zooey breakfast and put her in roomtime, all set to do have my quiet time. This was the day that she decided to cry and cry about roomtime - which, by the way, she hasn't done in I don't even know how long. She was just inconsolable, so I got her out. I never did get the chance to sit down and really get into the Word; however, I was able to do my devotional on parenting.
The immediate struggles I faced with cutting out TV (well, inappropriate ones) was that I am not really able to watch TV with Ryan at night. This posed a problem, because he is the type who has to watch TV to unwind and be able to go to sleep at night. The first night, I wanted to be alone for a bit anyway, to read my Bible and pray, as I was really missing my mom. I needed to grieve with Jesus, so I took the time to do that. Last night, he was watching a show that had some raunchy kind of humor to it, so I read the news on my iPad and listened to some Christian music until he was done with that show. Then we kind of watched a game show until it was time for bed. Another thing that was hard for me was to hit the gym yesterday without my usual playlist. I really do enjoy Christian music, and in fact listen to it most of the time while driving, at home, etc. When I'm working out, I like music with a good beat, that's energizing, and let's be honest - a lot of Christian music is just a little too soft. So, that was a challenge. I ended up playing Natalie Grant and skipping over a lot of the softer, slower songs. These are some struggles I've noticed so far.
Now, for the good things. I have found when I have a bit of downtime, I'm looking to my Bible or other devotional app on the iPad to read a plan. Listening to Christian music while working out left me with more positive feeling, because I was praising the Lord while I worked out. Even two days in, I'm seeing that I'm connecting with Him a little more often than I normally do. I find I am also a little more sensitive to what's around me, even when I'm at home, and that's good. Instead of clicking on a link or keeping my attention focused on the TV show that's on, I'm turning away from things that aren't filling my mind with something godly.
Philippians 4:8-9 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard form me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
The key to peace is to keep my focus on God and the things that He deems true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. While it is nice sometimes just to veg out and be entertained, it shouldn't become our main escape. Jesus should. He is an escape that will leave us feeling full. All the other stuff fades and still leaves us with a sense of "what do I do now?" I saw this the other night when instead of reading or watching TV to escape my feelings about my mom, I read the Bible and talked to the Lord. I felt like a little bit of that weight had been lifted, and I felt encouraged to know that He is always with me and will carry that burden and get me through it.
Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Like my friend said when we were talking about this, how does a novel or TV show help to renew our minds and transform us into the person God wants us to be? Again, I do not feel that all TV or all novels are inerrantly bad. I do think it is important for us as Christians to be aware that things we read and watch DO effect us. That's why it's so important that the time we spend with God is the most important time of our day. Earnestly seeking Him will lead to a conviction if our choice of entertainment is something we should avoid. And of course, His Word is very clear about what is sinful and what is not, so if our entertainment is not in line with what He would be ok with, then it's probably not something we should be entertained by.
If you're along for the ride on this journey, I'd love to hear what's been good or bad for you. Please comment!
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