I Love Your Commands

"We waited too long to allow our children to have screens,"
said no parent ever!

Our family held out on screens for nearly seven years—as new parents, we committed to the first two years, and by some miracle, we were able to keep it going almost through first grade. Then the pandemic hit, and I brought Leland's school iPad home. And since then, he's inherited his own device, and we grapple daily with striking the right balance between technological engagement and fostering a deeper connection with faith, family, and the world around us.

When we try and quantify the limits, it feels arbitrary to Leland, and he attempts to rationalize and negotiate. This week he felt entitled to 90 mins because that was the agreement—the letter of the law. I took a minute to explain the spirit of the law, too: there were only about two hours left in the afternoon, and I wasn't going to allow him to spend 75% of that time on a device. He may not have agreed, and he certainly wasn't happy about it—but he knows that boundary is there because we love him and want him to grow and thrive into a wholesome, family-focused person.

God sets forth commandments to lead us on a path of righteousness, yet how often do we rationalize and negotiate? God's law is perfect because it is based on love to nurture a sense of discipline and moral compass in the hearts. As we teach our children to honour our parental commands, so too must we engage in meaningful acts of service and support those in need, echoing the command to love our neighbors as ourselves. We establish a solid foundation of love and empathy within our family and our broader community, empowering us to make a positive impact and reflect Christ's teachings in all aspects of our lives. May our faith journey be guided by God's commandments, leading us to serve others with humility and grace as we strive to walk the path of righteousness together.