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January 26, 2008
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Finding Beauty, by Lisa Mikitarian
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. He was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-2 NIV).
Poetry. The book of John is pure poetry, especially the prologue (John
1:1-18). It's one place I like to go when I need a dose of beauty. In a
world of pop-culture, I need those doses regularly.
Over the summer, my twenty-year-old daughter, Maddie, was lamenting all
the pop-culture I was responsible for making her miss during her
childhood. "Mom," she said, "when people my age talk about 'Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles' or 'Strawberry Shortcake,' I'm lost." This made
me laugh. "What was so bad about 'Strawberry Shortcake'?" she asked.
"What's so bad about (fill in the blank)?"
This is a question my children have asked me and I have asked myself
hundreds of times over the years. We've asked it about all sorts of
books, movies, and activities. It seems to me, we only have so much
free time -- time set up for no purpose other than enjoyment and we can
choose things that are "not bad," or we can choose things of value.
Early in parenting I wanted to give my kids only value. So while other
children were reading books about a babysitting club, mine were reading
the "Wind in the Willows" and "Misty of Chincoteague." I softened my
stance somewhat as the years unfolded, so by the time my son was old
enough, he saw all the "Star Wars" movies (I only liked the original
three). Maddie laments this, too -- how Spencer had it better. I try
not to laugh.
I'm glad she couldn't see me smiling!
One of my favorite verses of the Bible was written by Paul in a very
intimate portion of his letter to the Philippians as he seeks to
instruct them how to live:
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 (Philippians
4:8 NIV).
I'm not immune to pop-culture and I admit to watching things that are
"not bad" and sometimes, even things I know veer straight into "bad."
These things don't edify me in any way; in fact, if I'm not careful,
they erode my convictions. But sometimes I watch them. That's when I
need a dose of "pure" or "lovely" or "admirable." That's when my
husband and I trek to some beautiful part of God's world, or I listen
to "Pachebelle's Cannon" or I read the poetry of the book of John.
The other day, Maddie called to say she was tired of seeing little
girls who dress too old for their age -- that when she has children,
she is going to pick "nice, age-appropriate clothes." I was glad we
were on the phone and she couldn't see me smiling.
Maybe I'll surprise her the next time she comes home. I'll put together
a "Strawberry Shortcake Fest" complete with videos, shortcake, and
balloons. Time spent with her laughing -- that's worthwhile.
---------
(c) 2008 Lisa Mikitarian <miks@shentel.net>
RELATED LINKS:
* Rain Reminds Me of My Mother
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200605/20060510_rainmother.html
* Who Could Ask for More?
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200605/20060501_askformore.html
* A Moment for Mom
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200306/20030606_mom.html
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200801/20080126_findingbeauty.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
SEE THE MORNING, by Chris Tomlin
Award-winning artist Tomlin offers a whole new set of soul-inspiring
easy-to-sing songs about God's faithfulness.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260
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