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Our family loves to watch The Andy Griffith Show – it always make us laugh! The Barefoot Contessa cooking show is a favorite program on the Food Network; it always inspires me to get in the kitchen! There are a handful of old movies I have enjoyed and watched again and again. I say that first so you’ll understand that this is not a post bashing television entirely. It has its place when used wisely (like anything else!).

There was a young visitor in my home who frequents my house who recently asked, “Is your TV EVER on?” I told him that it is on occasionally, but that we don’t ever just leave it on. The television being left on for the majority of the day is, I believe, a common occurrence in many American households. I’ve been doing some thinking about the question from my young guest, and came up with the reasons why I don’t leave the television on. Again, I’m not saying a person should never watch television; I’m talking about having it on for the majority of the day.

A television babysits, entertains, fills a mind, teaches, occupies, and replaces our presence,
but what can’t television do?

It cannot look a person in the eye. It’s impersonal, distant, removed.
It cannot have a conversation. It cannot ask or answer a question. It does all the talking.
It cannot provide a peaceful atmosphere in your home. Television is all about drama! Leaving it on creates noise and unrest rather than peace.
It cannot create a loving home. Creating anything takes a person’s mind, strength and love. A TV has none of these.
It cannot listen.
It cannot touch.
It cannot hold someone accountable. It won’t tell you how long you’ve been watching.
It cannot show emotion.
It cannot encourage creativity. It does all the creating while the watcher, well, watches!
It cannot pause to allow you to listen to God. It takes someone to turn off the set so that there is time to hear, listen and obey. That someone would be us!

Some encouragement about when you do watch:

Recording shows is a great way to use your time more effectively. Then you can fast forward through commercials!
If you have to watch a show “live,” mute the commercials, which are always very loud.
Set a time limit as to how long it will be on.
Make it a reward – not a babysitter.
Try to do something else while watching – Iron, fold clothes, knit, cut out coupons, etc.
Don’t watch any show where people are doing/saying anything you wouldn’t allow a guest in your home to do or say.
Don’t watch anything you wouldn’t ask the Lord to sit down and watch with you (He’s there!).

Just some food for thought. I’d be happy to hear your thoughts on this subject. Please, no anonymous comments. =) Thanks!

With love,

I turned on Pandora Radio on my computer while I was doing housework. A familiar sounding song began playing, and then all of the sudden the recognition of it enveloped me – Somewhere My Love! Immediately, I was taken back to my childhood when my sister’s alarm clock played that song so beautifully. I loved hearing it play. It was soothing and comforting. Suddenly, I could remember my childhood home, and feel the warmth and love I found there. Music will do that.

Yesterday Whitney posted about a Pumpkin Muffin recipe that I made while she was growing up. She recently made the recipe, and while enjoying the baked good was “transported back (to) the kitchen table, laughing and talking with my family.” Food will do that.

The smell of a candle awakens a memory of a place. A perfume scent recalls a person. In short, our senses remember things. Because of that, we should use that in a favorable way to create memories for our families. May I suggest a few ways?

Play the same few CD’s for several months at dinnertime. Or play a certain CD during a particular season each year. Playing music at mealtime is helpful in keeping the atmosphere calm and quiet, but it also creates an audio memory.
Have seasonal foods that are your signature recipes. For instance, make a pumpkin bar in the fall, your famous sugar cookies at Christmas, Lemon meringue pie in spring and blueberry muffins in summer. Those tastes and the smells of those baked goods will bring back memories of mealtimes at home.
Burn candles in your home, or use potpourri scents to fragrance your home. It will freshen your house and create a memory of the smell home.

God gave us our senses and they can be used to create a homey atmosphere that will bring back times from the past. Let’s be wise and use it in a positive way!

What sensory stirs up memories of your childhood?

With love,

Tag: home

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Sensory Memories