I
keep an article on display for parents at our church entitled, "Excitement
Deprives Children of Happiness."[1]
The gist of the article, written by a Jewish man, is that over stimulation
prevents a person from experiencing true joy. And it makes sense when a person
observes the world of extreme sports. People can't enjoy cross country skiing
so they graduate to downhill. But when the "buzz" of that wears off
they jump out of helicopters to sky down cliffs. I am not saying it is wrong to
enjoy those things but an adrenaline junky will have trouble developing the
truly godly disciplines of quiet time with the Lord, Bible reading and
meditating upon it, prayer that is fervent, sitting at the feet of Christ in a
church service where the emphasis is on worship rather than spiritual
entertainment.
How
can we train kids to be truly happy and content?
1. Limit electronic entertainment
TV,
radio, and game boards.
2. Get them to a park
I do
not mean a theme park. I mean somewhere with grass and trees.
3. Teach them to ride a single speed bike.
Keep
them away from things with loud engines
4. Enjoy a camping/fishing trip
5. Exciting things are fine, but they
shouldn't be the norm
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