Slow Fade
When Mark and I were dating, I decided to no longer watch any rated R movies. THEN a movie came out that we both wanted to see, A Time to Kill. From the title, you can tell the rating. The first scene of the movie was a crime against a child. Note, I had not seen any violence in a movie (and had no time for TV) for quite some time. When the scene flashed across the screen, I went into somewhat of a panic attack. I had my head buried in my knees while Mark held me continually saying, "let's go, we can leave, let's go!" I was too paralyzed to move. The movie was still louder than my crying. Why am I telling you about this embarrassing situation?
The movie situation is evidence of a Slow Fade that the band Casting Crowns sings about. Crime and violence had become part of my entertainment when there are people everyday that are harmed- they are someone's son, daughter, mom, grandparent, brother, neice....they are loved by someone and I am being "entertained" by their harsh reality. That stuff REALLY happens! It is not hard to see this type of "entertainment" on our local televisions stations--think about it! (Need help- CSI, Criminal Minds....)
It is not just violence either. Someone gave me Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook to read. Yes, it is a great story BUT when I got to the part of adultry and wanted it to happen-I knew that the Slow Fade has happened again!
We rarely have the television on in our home when the children are awake for this very reason. They do get to watch Saturday morning programs and PBS has some kids programs in the after school hours. It is totally worth guarding them but I have got to guard me as well. In our world, we even have to be careful about the bumper stickers we read!
A friend of mine tells this analogy. You can put a frog in a pan of boiling water and he will jump out. But if you put the frog in the pan and slowing heat the water, he will stay and die. It is a slow fade.
Proverbs 4:23 reminds us "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life."
The movie situation is evidence of a Slow Fade that the band Casting Crowns sings about. Crime and violence had become part of my entertainment when there are people everyday that are harmed- they are someone's son, daughter, mom, grandparent, brother, neice....they are loved by someone and I am being "entertained" by their harsh reality. That stuff REALLY happens! It is not hard to see this type of "entertainment" on our local televisions stations--think about it! (Need help- CSI, Criminal Minds....)
It is not just violence either. Someone gave me Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook to read. Yes, it is a great story BUT when I got to the part of adultry and wanted it to happen-I knew that the Slow Fade has happened again!
We rarely have the television on in our home when the children are awake for this very reason. They do get to watch Saturday morning programs and PBS has some kids programs in the after school hours. It is totally worth guarding them but I have got to guard me as well. In our world, we even have to be careful about the bumper stickers we read!
A friend of mine tells this analogy. You can put a frog in a pan of boiling water and he will jump out. But if you put the frog in the pan and slowing heat the water, he will stay and die. It is a slow fade.
Proverbs 4:23 reminds us "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life."
Comments
We guard our children carefully...no one else will love them enough to do this for them, that's for sure!!
Great post!
That was too funny about the engraved platter...and a used candle, wow!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Love that McFurr!!