Four years ago, I participated in a one-day summer mission workday that our church organized / sponsored. It was there that I met (arguably) my now BFF (in-person). I've written about him prior for he made / continues to make a lasting impact on Rob. Mostly, in light of his loyalty / trust / small-town values / outlook combined with his sweet demeanor and hyper masculine physique / demeanor / appearance.
With an elfish (build) wife and multiple children, our family quickly welcomed them with open arms (not long after our aforementioned initial, missional juncture), and from there, they expectantly joined the church without looking back.
This family is middle-class through & through with little to no higher education between the two parents. And as is typical, screens (television, smartphones, tablets) are a huge part of their existence, all fueled by heavy, heavy social media engagement, college / pro football game consumption, fantasy football, and so forth.
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My BFF's oldest child is an odd bird, and I'm sure this is enhanced in light of her adolescence (weren't we all a little odd as teenagers?). Nonetheless, she's polite and poised yet tremendously uncomfortable in most social settings. To the point that it's almost painful to be in her presence due to how obvious it is to everyone around her.
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A deceased uncle of mine (my childhood memory of him), in many ways, reminds me of my (in-person) BFF. Even his wife (my aunt) too exemplifies his elfish wife. And yes, worshipping at the altar of the screen (remember, this was the '80s) whilst rearing their two children under that watchful electronic eye(s) was absolutely their modus operandi. I can remember, as a teen, homing in on their exceedingly lackadaisical approach to media consumption. It was especially painful / worrisome to observe when my cousins were little tykes. Therein, the television was never switched off (they fell asleep in front of it each night).
And I get that they lived in deeply isolated rural MS, but still, TV hasn't been around for that long... In other words, it's a fairly new phenomenon in the grand scheme of things. As such, even then, I couldn't fathom why it had been granted so much influence.
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Here recently, my BFF's nightmare was borne from within, unassumingly, nonchalantly seeded by example via he and his sweet wife.
As such, as of late, it's been all-hands-on-deck as it pertains to the family's oldest child. For her private, obsessive access to screens has resulted in tremendous familial turmoil, handwringing, finger pointing under the guiding hand of / constant reminder by local law enforcement's now involvement.
Let this be a warning to all of us. For no amount of wishful thinking can return this clan to their hopeful innocence / carefree approach to life as a collective. D-day has come and no attempt of whitewashing will ever change that.
We live in very dark times, my friends. And yes, they're coming for your children. Starting, first & foremost, with the technology companies / bros.
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