I reminded my darling daughter, who’s approaching 5, before entering the store, to not ask for anything for herself during our shopping trip. She assured me that she would not with her angelic face. What’s wrong with this picture. Sure enough, within 10 minutes inside, she was giving suggestions to purchase items today for her birthday six weeks away. I must admit she has foresight, but that was not the goal of this trip.
When I think about the many items that fill our homes that are geared for children today, I often wonder how our generation or those before us were raised successfully. Most baby product manufacturers would lead you to believe your child cannot survive without their products. The toy industry works on this same philosophy, telling our children they are incomplete, by blasting them with commercials of got-to-have toys they don’t even understand what they do.
Children are learning at an even earlier age of materialism and the false promises it claims to bring. Children learn from example, and unfortunately as parents we set the pattern. We are lead to believe that providing your children with carriages, high chairs, toys, etc., equipped with all the bells and whistles will be best for our child. The basic function of these products is being overlooked for the extras. I know myself as a mother of young children, that when my third came along, only three years after my first, I too wanted to update some of my baby products for the fancier new models with all the great gadgets.
As a parent I worry too often about the things I’m doing wrong or could do wrong by neglecting or indulging my children with material things. We can free ourselves from that worry if we just put our efforts into trusting the Lord to direct us. God has a way of blessing us far beyond our imaginations if we would just relax in Him and allow our hearts to hold all our valuables.
Matthew 6:19-20 reminds us, to not store your treasures here on Earth but in heaven. God knows that what is best for your children is your love, care and guidance in God’s ways. Those are the only things that will help him to live a fulfilled life. All the baby products he will out grow, all the toys will be used and thrown out, but the ways of the Lord will be written on his heart and he can take them with him throughout his life.
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