I don't quite remember when we got rid of our television...clearly we don't miss it since I can't recall when it happened. I grew up with a TV in every room of our home, always on, even if it wasn't being watched. When there was a power outage, the first thing my brother and I would flip out about was our scheduled programs being missed. Fast forward to being married, the TV situation was the same, one in each room...on for the sound and a black hole for wasted time. NOW, let me say having a television in your home is amoral, neither good or bad. BUT it's what we do with it. Kind of the same thing we read in 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Note, the key word there, LOVE. Money is not evil; it can serve both good and bad. It's the love of it that can entangle us.We certainly didn't love our TV, and while we tried to avoid the evils on television, it was serving us no good. It was robbing us of our time. It was making us feel hopeless when all bad news was being reported. And we didn't want our kids growing up with a TV in every room, always on but not being watched and pitching a fit if they were missing their scheduled program. Our oldest is only 4 1/2, but you get the idea, these things happen people!
We started off by getting rid of the television in our bedroom and instead of watching something in the evening before bed, and we began to read more or talk more. Then the Medstud became a 3rd year, rotating through hospitals and life became more full, so we entertained the thought of selling the television. We went back and forth for a while; we were hesitant, BUT finally made the plunge (with the Medstud's leading and confidence that we would get used to it). And we did, the kids never mentioned a thing about it. My oldest had a wonderful idea on what should be done with the money we earned selling it. My idea was to take to it to Wells Fargo; her idea was a lot more charitable. She suggested we donate it to Children's Hunger Fund and with her prompting we did. This is an organization that since 1991, has given 99% of total contributions. Over 1 billion dollars in food and other aid that has been distributed through programs serving more than 20 million children across America and around the world. They are listed on Forbes as one of the most cost-effective charities in the nation. We love them and what they do. That was my plug for them :)
It is safe to say our time has now been redeemed. Instead of having a TV on in the background while I fold laundry or clean, I stream sermons from my phone OR call people to chat. The kids get to watch shows every now and then, commercial free, on the Ipad, and it's a real treat. Daniel catches a sports game here or there, instead of every single game possible, on the computer. Our family time is spent having tickle parties, getting outside more or just laying around talking, without the interruption of television. We aren't completely screen-free. But it is a lot more accounted for and not as easy as the push of a button on the remote control.
All this said to NOT guilt you for owning a television or watching it regularly, but as a reminder to make the most of our time. Even on our longest day, life is still short. What we choose to fill our days with will have lasting effects or none if filled with lifeless things.
"So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom." -Psalm 90:12
xo,
M.Y.
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