Wii Bit of Caution

Wii finally have one. My generous parents bought the kids a nintendo wii for Christmas this year, and Jason’s generous parents bought the extra controllers and games. I am so happy for my kids who have wanted a Wii for a long time.

Wii put it off as long as possible because video games seem to provide unique temptation for our particular family. Somehow the combination of technology, competition, sports, and little boys makes for a lot of fun, but a lot of need for boundaries and caution.

Jason and I are going to talk about setting guidelines for having a Wii in our house while we’re here (most likely during the 6 hour car ride home). But I know many of you out there either have game systems or know others who do, so I really want to hear what boundaries, rules, guidelines you have (or have heard of) for helping little hearts not get sucked into the virtual/technological vortex.

Here are some temptations my guys have (just to help you understand where we are coming from):

1. Wii get bored…with normal, run of the mill toys and imagination play. One problem with this form of uber-entertainment (at least for my boys it is), is that everything else seems blase and boring.

2. Wii get idolatrous. I think it is true of every form of entertainment – just wish it was books or something – but when they wake up talking about the game they’ve been playing, and the theme of every converstion somehow ends up landing on a video game, I get a bit concerned. As humans we are all created to worship, and therefore we will all worship something, for little boys it can be video games.

3.  Wii waste time. This is pretty self explanatory, but as they are getting older Jason and I are trying to battle against a perceived right to leisure and entertainment. I hate to be one of those cynical old people pointing to the new generation wagging a self righteous finger (there is nothing new under the sun)…but, my kids’ generation does seem more indulged and more entitlement oriented. I won’t pontificate on my theories why, but still we see the tendency of all of our hearts to be influenced by the philosophy of the world which is low on hard work, and big on entertainment.

And to be fair and forthright, I want to tell you about my own temptations regarding this Wii entering the house.

1. Wii Nanny. As a mom I usually get a huge break when my kids are so pleasantly occupied, therefore it is difficult not to let our allotted time run over. Right now we have a certain amount of time the boys are allowed some sort of gaming (so far it has been hand held games, not a big system). It is already a temptation to let this time get prolonged especially when the weather is nasty and they can’t go outside. The Wii could become a virtual nanny for me, and I do not want that!

2.  Wii manipulate. Here’s the other temptation: use the Wii as a bribing tool. You can play once you finish…  or  If you fight we will turn it off… I know that this is a complete cop out from dealing with the heart issues that arise from having a gaming system in the house. I also know that I am using their own idolatry to serve my own idols of peace, quiet, and order. I hate to do this, but it is a temptation.

Okay, your turn. What wisdom can you offer regarding bringing a Wii into our family?

Humbling Holidays

Christmas accentuates what is true of me all year long, that I have serious limitations.

Limitations of creativity.

of time.

of capacity.

of energy.

of money.

Christmas accentuates what is true of me all year long, that I am a sinner.

Sins of pride.

Anxiety.

Anger.

Self sufficiency.

And yet Christmas also accentuates what is true of God all year round, that He regards the lowly, the humble, the needy.

A young virgin.

Barren Elizabeth.

Shepherds.

And these very limitations and sins that are potentially so humbling, are the very things that can soften my heart to hear the story about the Savior’s birth with a fresh sense of awe and wonder.

Unlimited Creator.

eternal One.

omnipotent.

Prince of Glory.

Humbled Himself to become a man. Born to live the perfect life I could never live. Born to die for sins He did not commit. For my sins of pride, anxiety, anger, and self sufficiency during the holidays.

The holidays aren’t just humbling, they are a profound celebration of humility. The humility of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Phil 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [1] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, [2] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Better Late Than Never

Two of my dear friends started blogging…finally!

Please go visit my friend Kathy at By Grace We Build. This blog is intended to keep family and friends posted on the life and times of the Wilson family as they have moved from MD to OH. But, in my opinion the blog serves a bigger purpose by showing how Kathy is thriving in her role as wife, mother, and homemaker. It is evident in every post that Kathy is building her home well (and if I know Kathy, she hates that I just wrote that. She is very humble about how she is building). So for inspiration and a smile, please go visit By Grace We Build.

One of my closest friends, who also happens to be my sister-in-law Emily, began writing a blog called (MS) in parentheses. Emily is not only an outstanding writer, she is very wise beyond her years. She is also doing an excellent job directing our attention to the Savior as she is walking this path of life with a disease, MS. Please go read her blog and I promise you will be freshly amazed by God’s grace not just in her life but in yours as well.

Sierra and Caleb

My niece, Sierra, is a very talented girl. She is good at every imaginable art. Seriously.

In this video she is singing a song she and her friend wrote. Sierra wrote the melody, her friend wrote the lyrics.

Oh…and be sure to watch my dad play the air bongos in the beginning. He is so funny! He was actually trying to signal my son Joshua to get the bongos and play along.

My Favorite Elves

I couldn’t resist the disco elves. And as a side note, I think I’ve done this routine in my jazzercise class. Looks very familiar.

more about "My Favorite Elves", posted with vodpod