Spencer Sing Along

As the Spencer family was driving along one day, a P!NK song came across the radio.  I, being a moderate fan, and it being one of her songs that is kid-friendly, allowed it to continue playing.  When the chorus began, I heard the sound of our eldest, Genesis, singing along from the back row.  I turned to her and said, "You know this song?"  She just sort of shrugged her shoulders and nodded.

That was one of the most surreal moments in my life.  A few realizations descended upon me.  First of all, I was amazed that I'm old enough to have a kid that is old enough to sing along intelligently to songs that she hears.  It's one thing to hear your kids mimic the sounds that they hear, but it is an altogether different feeling when they actually begin to sing the lyrics of a song to the actual tune (sort of) of that song.  That's something that sneaks up on you!

Secondly, I was reminded just how powerful our influence as parents really is.  The six-year-old's capacity for absorbing and retaining information is mind-blowing (frankly, I envy it)!  God has given me the chance to shape and mold these little minds.  What an opportunity!    

Thirdly, I was reminded just how careful I need to be.  This opportunity is also a responsibility.  I don't know where she heard that song, but it was probably just driving along in the car.  While we try to guard what our children hear, we don't restrict our musical choices to "Christian" music.  That particular song was not spiritually harmful, but I'm sure that there have been times where songs have played in her hearing that she shouldn't hear.  We all have the responsibility to guard our own hearts and minds, but that responsibility is extended to our children when they come along.  The words I say and the media I allow into my home will directly affect the choices that my children make.  It's not only song lyrics that she will pick up though.  The attitudes, habits, and values that I teach and, perhaps more importantly, demonstrate will establish the foundation for her the rest of her life.  She may choose to reject what I teach her, but the patterns that she observes in her youth will inevitably impact her as an adult.

A couple of nights this past week I sat down at the piano and played the girls a couple of my self-composed ditties (I play originals exclusively; by necessity, not by choice).  Before long, the girls began to sing along as best they could.  When I came home yesterday Gen, her face bright red but graced by a huge smile, sung to me the chorus of one of my own songs.  That was a special moment.  It was a reminder that, not only do I have the ability to impact my children negatively by allowing ungodly content into the minds, but I can also use this opportunity to communicate the truth.

    

Oh, and watch out, world!  Here comes The Spencer Family Band (the name is a work in progress)!