A Different Kind of Fast

Why is it when we take the cell phone or television away from our kids they act like they are having a crack withdraw? You would not believe the response at my house from my son when we took away his cell phone and television. My husband started singing the R.E. M Friend’s song, ” It’s the end of the world as we know it. ”

Seriously, there were tears, a tantrum, a walk out, some throwing of dishes, all because the electronics were taken for a time. It wasn’t for punishment either. It was just because he’s so exhausted, staying up to late and needs rest. But I must say I feel like his personality is better when he’s not fixated on that thing. Sometimes I feel like I’ve lost my son to a machine.

Even adults if our phone is broke, missing or messing up, we are distraught, annoyed and feel lost without a full functioning phone.

People are lonely but don’t even know it. They have make believe friends that put them in a state of complete isolation. Who needs a friend or a social group when you have YouTube friends, videos or movies to watch? Didn’t you know that my son is good friends with the Flash? Seriously, how many times can you watch the episodes without being over it?

I’ve seen time and time again, people bark when interrupted by a real person in the real world, when they are in the midst of a video, show or video game. This happened to me when I was a kid all the time. SHHH I’m trying to watch this. And yes, I’m guilty of doing this as well. The phone is creating distance and rudeness, we are losing the ability to connect with people in a loving way. I’m convinced that the devil loves the breakdown of relationships, the pornography, the cursing, the demonic images, the carnage in video games and the corruption and destruction that comes through social media. I’m not saying all of it is bad, but it certainly feels like it’s a gateway or portal to evil influences and a teens mind is so easily malleable.

On a couple of Shabbats ( Day of Rests), which we usually take on a Saturday, we decided to forbid any television or cell phone activity. What I noticed is the rude candor between my son to my daughter changed. He went outside, played basketball, shot golf balls and taught his sister how to shoot a bb gun target. We’ve had other days when we went down to the park on the lake. The kids played ball, frisbee, skateboarded and truly interacted with each other like we used to do when we were kids. It’s amazing how creative and active we were during the days without cell phones.

Not long ago, my son was in class and they had free time. He was doing a “clean” video game. I do not allow him to do games that kill, show lustful cartoon images or are rooted in sorcery or magic. During class, a naked female, well endowed cartoon image popped up on the screen. Several kids at school saw it, including the teacher. My son was horrified and completely embarrassed, repeatedly telling the teacher he didn’t do it. She assured him that she could tell by his face that he was innocent. But here’s the deal, the internet and entertainment is a gateway.

I don’t want to be one of those parents that are so strict that my kids go into complete rebellion, but I do limit, I do warn them. I always tell them to guard their minds and their ears. Once they see something or hear something, it’s engrained in their minds forever. There are some really dark things on the internet, some that just pop up after an watching a fairly clean video.

So here’s my suggestion. Take an Electronic Fast once a week on your day of rest. Or when you go on family vacations, only allow them in the car. Put the phones away. Unplug or remove the televisions. It’s time for us to get outside and do some clean family active fun and exploration. Fly kites, swim and get away from those electronics. It frankly scares me that my son had such an emotional reaction to the loss of a phone for a time. As parents sometimes we are not liked or even understood. But to help save our children, and ourselves, we must limit electronics. I truly believe they have the ability to destroy our personalities, our social skills and with 5G coming our health.

Ezekiel 14:3 “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them?

Psalm 101:3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

Reflection:

1. Examine your own phone use? Social media time? How can you limit your own activity?

2. How is the electronics effecting social interaction and attitudes in your home? Have a discussion with the family and consider a day, weekend or week without the cell or television. What can you do? Read. Swim. Play games. Explore. Family game night. Invite friends over for Dinner or Games. Let’s bring back connection and community.

Hebrew Connection: The 4th commandment out of the 10 written on stone is about taking a day of rest, a Shabbat. The Hebrew word shabbat comes from the Hebrew verb shabat, which literally means “to cease,” or shev which means “sit.” Although shabbat or its anglicized version “Sabbath” is almost universally translated as “rest” or a “period of rest,” a more literal translation would be “ceasing,” with the implication of “ceasing from work.”