Music has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My mom sang songs to me as a young girl that taught me many of the Old Testament stories. Many I know learned the books of the Bible through song.
I like all kinds of music from classical to jazz...heavy metal to pop. But my favorite without a doubt...country. There is something about it that draws me in. Shortly after I got married and was finishing up my college education I decided to give up the music I loved for music with a Christian message. Twenty years ago there was not a lot to choose from. The Christian music did not even compare to the other genres of the day. Still, I made the commitment and so I kept it. It is a change that has stuck with me until this very day.
Kids love music too. It is a large part of my teenagers' life...just look at our itunes charges and you will know. I will never forget the first time I got in my car and my oldest had changed the radio station. I began to wonder how I would handle the issue of music in my growing children's lives.
What rules would there be for our kids and music? Would it be wise to demand they only listen to Christian music? Would that even work...or just cause rebellion?
Though you may choose a different path, I decided to make two choices when it came to music with my kids. The first was no music with profanity. The second...I would expose my kids to as much Christian music as possible when I was in control of the radio dial. In other words, when you ride in mom's car...you hear Christian music. If you spend as much time in the car as we do, that is a lot of exposure!
They didn't always like it. But, if you take a look at their ipods you will find as much Christian music as other stuff. My youngest comes in from school the other day, after riding home with his sister singing..."Give me your eyes for just one second, give me your eyes so I can see." I smile because I know the song. It gives a message about seeing the way God does. He passes through the kitchen humming and says, "I love that song!"
Christian music has come so far since I made that decision long ago. There are great artists and radio stations out there. I want to challenge you to expose your children to this music. If you don't know where to start...I listen to KVNE. At the bottom of the page you will find a new gadget that has the songs that are at the top of the charts these days. Happy Listening!
