Character Reflections in Children

It is very interesting to note how people 'behave' after some surgery especially when an anesthetic is involved. I read in the news that a certain young lady (after removal of a wisdom tooth) thought she was a witch and the dentist had cast a spell on her. She was determined to go back for revenge. This was probably emanating from the movie of Harry Potter. Of course we could say those are effects of the drugs subjected to her during surgery but doesn't this reveal what is embedded in the little girl's subconscious mind? Doesn't it show how much she has been exposed to the effects of watching Harry Potter? It is not surprising to note that her decision making processes (when not in subjection to these drugs) are very much influenced by Harry Potter.

We can never underestimate the influence of the media on our behavior and especially on children who are still in the formative years. If media was of no big deal then the advertising industry would just be a pass time and a waste of money. But no, the industry is actually booming – we see adverts virtually everywhere, in our inboxes, on blogs, on pathways, billboards, on clothes, just anywhere. Guess what, these ads do get a positive feedback. If advertising is influential what more of the movies or TV programs that our kids watch? Isn’t it all driving them to become violent, disrespectful to parents and authorities, immoral, pleasure loving, loss of love for God?

I really wonder what I will say after recovering from an anesthetics dose. Will I shout the name of God and praise Him, will I offer a prayer of thanksgiving? Will I start cursing and swearing and damaging everything that stands in my way? Whatever it may be – what will come out will be a reflection of what really makes me, me.

I just pray that the character of God may reflect in us all even in our kids. His should be even in times when we are ‘out of control’ of our emotions. Whatever we reveal in these ‘out of control’ experiences should help us diagnose where we stand. If need be, corrective action has to be considered.

Proverbs 22:6     Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.