Do you remember the trick question that kids used to ask each other in school - “When is a door not a door? When it’s a-jar!” It brings back memories of how, as children, we used to love getting “one over” our fellow students. Knowledge was power and everyone used to try to be the best, or at least have the best answer.
I listened into a similar conversation between a few nine year olds recently. They were talking about how late they could stay up. The conversation went something like this:
“It’s the holidays and we get to stay up until 10 o’clock.”
“Well, my mum and dad put us to bed at the same time, but I don’t go to sleep and I’ve stayed up to half eleven!”
“Well, we can stay up to 4:30am!” - Stunned silence for a moment, then…
“So can we – although who would? I mean, there’s nothing even good on the TV at that time.”
“I remember when I went to Stuart’s dads for a sleep-over. We got up at 5 o’clock and put on Adult Sky. There was this lady on the tele who was naked! (nervous laughter) …..”
And then he went on to explain to the other boys what he had seen. I couldn’t print it in this column.
Nine year olds – with their innocence stolen. Tragic … lamentable … disgusting.
What memories do we want our children to have of their school days?
I would encourage you, during this next week to let this story challenge you. And if this could happen in your house, to take the appropriate action. A recent article in a Christian magazine I was reading stated that nearly 30% of Christian youth workers admitted that they were addicted to pornography.
The statistic is shocking. The truth of it is tragic. It grieves my heart to think of it.
The children of our country need our prayers more than we can imagine. So too do the youth workers.
Let this direct our thoughts, prayers and actions this week.
Graeme Parkhill
(Whilst this is a true story, the names have been changed to protect identity.)
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