“Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the swift gazelles and the deer of the wild, not to awaken love until the time is right.”
Song of Songs 2:7
We live in a culture where kids lose their innocence so young. They are bombarded by sexuality and violence and language at such an early age. And it makes me mad and sad. It’s not fair to our children. They ought to be able to enjoy their edenic innocence as long as possible.
We love the school our kids attend, but we had an incident this week where a teacher assigned a book with inappropriate content. I always keep things positive. So this isn’t a vendetta of any sort. We actually really like the teacher. And I think it was an honest mistake. But I want to challenge parents to fulfill your parental role as protectors. We live in a culture where vulgarity and sexuality are not just affirmed but celebrated on many fronts. It’s hard enough living a life of purity. I owe it to my kids to protect them until their conscience is developed to the point where they can reject what is wrong. We screen the lyrics that our kids listen to. And if we feel like something is inappropriate we discuss it. We are careful about what they watch. Why? Because they need to learn to guard their heart. It’s the wellspring of life!
When a teacher assigns a book that undermines what I’m trying to teach my kids it feels like an uphill climb. It’s not ok for my kids to read a book, especially in a Christian school, with language I would never let them use. I’d wash their mouth with soap. And they are expected to read it in front of the class? We’re not talking about marginal language. And to expose my kids to sexual concepts that are beyond their ability to process, and then not process them, is downright wrong. It violates the truth in Song of Songs: don’t awaken love before it’s time. Or maybe I should substitute the word “lust.”
I’m mad and sad. Why? Because I love my kids. We try so hard to raise them in an environment that celebrates things that are good and pure and just and right. Parents, let’s fight for the edenic innocence of our children. They ought to be able to enjoy Eden as long as they can.
