TV Free Fridays

Our house is daily chaos. With three boys under the age of 5, chaos is often an understatement.  So last Saturday we turned our weekly grocery outing from a family adventure to mom and son time.  So Drew and I headed to the nearest Wal-mart.  I always enjoy one on one time with him.  He's quickly getting to the age where he's asking questions about everything.  As we're heading down the road, he begins to ask about George.  George is our sponsored child.  Several years ago, we had the opportunity to partner with Compassion International in ministering to George and his family.  Lately Drew has been very insistent about wanting to visit George.  Looking at a map, Drew often wants me to point out where George lives.  He's been very inquisitive of our sponsored child's lifestyle and surroundings.  As our conversation progressed, Drew began to ask about George's house.  I could hear the concern in his voice as I explained that George's family more than likely didn't have the things that Drew was used to having.  Drew said, " Momma, if George doesn't have a television, how would he play video games?"  I desperately wanted to just hold my innocent, consumerism-driven son and cry.  Cry because my son has plenty.  Cry because my sponsored son lives in need.  Cry because I have rarely known need and often mistake my want for need.  As best I could, I lovingly explained to my sweet Drew that George doesn't play video games but instead enjoys playing football with his friends.

 


I continued to relive this conversation for the next several hours.  My heart heavy with grief knowing that though my financial contributions were providing for a child in need, my own child was overwhelmed by consumerism and having no understanding of need versus want.  I shared our conversation with my husband when I got home.  We talked with Drew and tried to help him understand.  But talk is cheap to a four year old.  So, in order to help our family better understand at least one thing our sponsored child lives without, we've decided as a family to have television free Fridays.  Though it is a luxury, we've come to expect to be entertained by it.  Hopefully this will help Drew understand that our wants are not necessary when it comes to others needs.

If you currently do not sponsor a child in need, I highly encourage it.  There are many organizations through which you can sponsor children.  After doing our homework, we sponsor through and recommend Compassion International.  May God be glorified as needy children are released from poverty, and as my "wealthy" children are released from ignorance, in Jesus' name!