Thursday, February 10, 2011

The World Is Watching...

Lately I have been dealing with my daughter about things she posts to facebook.  I am her friend and I monitor her very closely.  But it seems like we have to have a 'discussion' almost weekly about what is appropriate to say and do and what pictures should not be posted. 

I came to notice some of the things she was doing was not typical of her, but what she saw.  Mostly, it was things she saw from girls her age, her friends.  But I also noticed that she was getting 'ideas' from women.  One woman in particular in our case.  Someone very close to us that I love dearly.  You may say, "well she is an adult.  She can post whatever she wants to.  I am not her boss."  Yes, that is all true.   

However, the world is watching what we do.  My daughter is watching what this trusted role model in her life does.  She she posts a picture that may to some seem fine for a single woman in her twenties, my thirteen year old sees it and thinks that is okay.  When she posts song lyrics all about love and romance that may seem fine for an adult in love, my daughter gets that in her head. 


Now, I am not bashing this woman, whom I love dearly, or any others that my daughter sees.  But friends, the world is watching us.  You may think that no one can possibly look up to you.  But yes, they are!  Especially our children.  Even our nieces and nephews, our friends' children, the children in our church and our neighborhood kids.  They look up to you.  They see what we do.  Not just on facebook, but in life. 

"...instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Romans 14:13


"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." I Corinthians 8:9 


The Bible tells us not to do anything to cause another to stumble.  We should be setting a good example for the children in our lives.  They look up to us.  Friends, before you speak, before you act and before you post, ask God if this is anything to cause others around you to stumble. 
 
Father, I ask You now to help me.  Help me be aware of the things I do and say, of my attitude and of things I post on the Internet.  Help me not to cause others around me, especially my children, to stumble.  Please help me to show them what it means to be a Godly women.  Amen.
 
Sweet Blessings~

9 comments:

  1. This is so true!!!! If we don't show our girls how to be a Godly woman in today's society then they will follow the 'worldly' women and become like them! The same goes for our boys as well!

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  2. I love this post! I remember as my niece was getting older and how it became easier to talk to her on the same level I had to be cautious about what I said. Not that I was saying anything bad, I just needed to remember that she was still a young mind and not an "adult." Same goes with FB, I would never put something on there that might lead her or any other young woman (or man) to think something is okay that isn't. I've had to delete things that others have left on my own account for that very reason! I know that my sister-in-law is exactly the way you are with her daughters account, so you are doing the very best thing! And, maybe she's being exposed to some negative influences, but what a great platform for you to explain what is and isn't appropriate in the eyes of God.

    PS... keep meaning to tell you that your new profile picture is just beautiful! Blessings!

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  3. So very true! The world is always watching, so we must be very careful. Especially if we profess to be Christians.

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  4. What an important message! Thank you, I needed to read this. It's really important not only the examples that we prove ourselves to be for our children but for those our children are exposed to as well...we should be surrounding our children with godly people and godly instruction. I wouldn't want to ever be guilty of leading my child astray or causing him/her to stumble! May God give us wisdom and discernment to be salt in our children's life...enriching them, nourishing them.
    ~blessings

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  5. This is a great post and it is a very important one. If we could just help other people see and hear what we do. Your daughter is at the impressionalbe age and it is great to see you care what she hears, sees, and reads. I believe some adults think whatever they want to say or do is fine and no one will get hurt. That is so untrue. May God bless you and guide you as you deal with this and yes, it can be a real problem. Thanks for this very important post.

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  6. What an excellent topic to blog about! I've often had to rethink what I want my status on FB to say because I am friends with alot of teenagers...ones who have friended me from church. I want to make sure my words are not misunderstood and that my posts are positive and point them in the right direction. Thank you for this reminder. We do need to be examples.

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  7. Wonderful post Jenifer. I've had to drop and block some people from my FB page for similar reasons. We need to stay vigilant and make sure that the example we're setting for those around us is showing good judgment and reflecting God's Word.

    Have a Blessed Day!

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  8. Hi Jen,
    Another very good post. I completely agree with all that you have said, it is very plain in the scriptures, as you say. I am on occasion very disappointed in people who should be role models and instead are stumbling blocks. I spoke to one sweet friend about just this matter and she felt like what she did was fine, but I notice that she has changed the kinds of things that she posts. Sometimes it pays to speak up about it. I say to people "If it does not glorify God, then don't say it, type it, do it or go there." Because as you say, the world is WATCHING! And often times laughing, and sadly, sometimes rightfully so.
    Hugs, Cindy

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