Trapped Outside the Box

| August 07, 2010

I was talking with a five year old recently, answering his question about how a TV antenna works.  Luckily, my knowledge of how it really works is only at a kindergarten level so it was easy for me to explain to him.  After my science lesson, he breaks the silence with an almost whisper: “My dad’s lazy.”

Taken aback I ask him to repeat.  He says it again in the most heartbreaking voice you could imagine.  “Why do you say that?” I ask.

“Because he sits around all the time and watches TV…” he pauses for a moment and adds, “and if he’s not watching TV he’s at work.”

I asked God what to say to this sad, angry, ignored child.  All I could tell him was, “I’m sorry…I guess the good thing is you know that when you grow up you want to be the type of dad who doesn’t sit around and watch TV all the time, who spends time with his kids.”  Probably not the most profound thing to say to a little kid but it’s all I had.

What kind of opinion is your child forming of you?  I know it struck my heart strings.  I don’t spend much time in front of a box but I know I fail in many other areas.  The box is an easy fix though.  Here’s a start, if you have cable or satellite, get rid of it! 

 

 

Btw, the best advice I can think of for the lad…“Next time your dad is watching TV, take a brick and throw it right through the screen.  Look him square in the eye and say, ‘I love you more than the TV, do you love me more?’”  I haven’t decided if that falls in line with what Jesus would do.  Thinking back to a couple times in the temple…