Instant gratification, entitlement & selfies

If you have social media or are anywhere near it I guarantee you will see at least 5 selfies in a day. I know, I know I am being modest in this estimate. Here's the thing, we have become so engrossed with ourselves that we hardly notice the people around us. I am just as guilty as the next person, our phones; ipads have become more important than actual face to face conversation. This is sad people. 


2 Timothy 3 English Standard Version (ESV) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. 


YIKES! Did you read that. ACTUALLY READ IT? That passage describes what is going on in today's society accurately. We have raised kids to think about #1 to not be concerned with other people, to not respect those in authority over us. We have done this to the kids, We are to blame.


So, how do we turn it around? 


Explain to your children how you're helping others 

Encourage your children to choose a charity that resonates with them and help them raise money to donate. 

Before your child's birthday, work with them to gather toys they no longer play with to give to needy children. 

If a sports figure starts a charity and your children love that particular sport, share the news with them. 

Be gracious to waiters and salespeople when you're out with your children. 

Most importantly, if you catch yourself not being respectful to your children, apologize and ask them for a do-over so you can respond with more graciousness. You don't want to be practicing "do as I say, not as I do" parenting!

 Together we can help our kids be respectful and put others before themselves.