For me personally, I have always found music to be extremely soothing.  Yes the instruments create wonderful melodies that can evoke every emotion under the sun, but personally, I find the words to be the make it or break it for all songs. As a result I can clearly remember many songs from my childhood.

This is one of those songs... (yes take a moment and listen...)





I'm not sure I really understood what the song really meant, yet I clearly recall hearing it and singing it. So when I first heard "Slow Fade" I was quickly drawn in.

Yes, take another moment and hit play...

This time, it only took one listen to get the full impact of those lyrics. Of course this could because there were four additional little ears listening along with me...  The reality of my job as a mother sunk in deep.

This world has so many great tools, opportunities and aspects, but it is also a broken world. I doubt there is much argument over there being good and evil, or white and black in the world. The controversies tend to be over the gray areas, and the shades of gray are numerous.

That fading of white into black is a path we, as parents, can easily slide down without ever realizing it. Sure there are a million things us parents try to put in place to keep the boundaries obvious, especially when our kids are young. We can keep the televisions off, music choices are in our control, books can be monitored... and then our kids grow up, and our ability to control the gray shades lessen...

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

Simply, we have to be aware, intentional of our actions as parents, or choices with words spoken and unspoken. The behavior we model, the shows we watch, the language we use, the music we listen to when we think our kids are not paying attention will make as much, if not more, of an impact than the boundaries we set for our kids.

There will always be gray areas in this world, it is the way it is.  And we won't be able to keep the boundaries clearly set forever, but we can be firm in the direction we face - choose to face the Light because where the light is there is no darkness.  And without darkness, those shades of gray disappear.

One intentional step at a time in order to avoid a slow fade.









Linking up with these great hops: