Little Eyes are Watching, Little Ears Are Listening

          I really enjoy going into Ms. Laurie’s classroom and observing her children at play. I really enjoy listening to them play. This year is a little extra special for me as the son of a special “niece” has enrolled. I love watching him play and seeing how much of his family is in him.
As I watch the children play and interact with each other I am reminded of the words from a children’s song “Be careful little eyes what you see…” This song was recently made into a popular Christian song by Casting Crowns. This is based upon Luke 11:33-35.
           We as parents, teachers, and watchers of these young ones are given a great task of watching them. We are the guardians of their precious “eyes”. We need to be careful what they see. We are the guardians of their precious “ears”. We must guard what they are hearing.
           When I was younger there was a saying my grandmother used frequently, “Little pitchers have big ears”, meaning a child is always listening.
           Are we careful what we are saying, doing or watching around our children? They are quick to pick up on our saying one thing and doing something different.
           C. S. Lewis, the writer of the Chronicles of Narnia once said of his conversion (he had been an Atheist), “A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading” (Surprised by Joy). This is true in reverse; a person who wishes to remain a sound Christian cannot be too careful of his reading. This also can apply to one’s environment.
           In today’s world, we must be the ones on guard as to what is out there. In recent years, there has been more and more in the media that can easily water down our children’s faith.
           The children need to know what to believe. They need to know there is the belief that the LORD, being in control, is often downplayed, completely ignored, or written about in such as way as to say He is not real.
           Research has shown how children can be easily convinced to follow what others are doing, saying, and seeing.
           We are warned in Romans to watch what we do – Romans 12.2 says, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will, or the book.
            In 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, Paul tell us that we are to test everything and to hold on to what is good and to reject every kind of evil. This is not an easy task! Evil is sneaky and often comes in many disguises.
            When we do reject evil, we must be ready to give an answer to defend our faith. Paul writes in 1 Peter 3:15 that we should be ready to answer to everyone who asks with an honest answer for the hope we have. He also says we should do so with gentleness and respect.
It is hard, but we must at all times be on guard. But our fight is not alone. We have the Holy Spirit to give us the strength that we need. We have been outfitted with the Armor of God, Ephesians 6:10-18
We must be on watch at all times. Let our eyes be the lamp of our body and shine the Light of Christ so our children may see Him through us.