When my son became a tweenager over eight short years ago, a whole new world of temptation opened to him as he discovered (thanks to another peer) certain inappropriate behaviors online that would entice him in a way he’d never experienced before.
Because he was our firstborn, a whole new world of fears opened to us too. We were thankful for many parents who had gone before us to give us wisdom and suggestions, as well as a gobload of information on the world wide web.
As we talked and prayed him through it, we put boundaries in place with his online usage. One of the most interesting tools was that of a software program that you download to the family computer (or child’s if you have one), as well as to the parent’s. Each time he would go online, a small screen viewer would pop up on my computer, and I could see his monitor from mine perfectly.
Based on the advice of other parents, we didn’t sneak the software, we told him it was there, and that we were doing that as an extra safety for him until he matured some. We explained that his curiosity and too much freedom could lead him to places he’d never been before–a great big broken bag of it. My husband and he talked about the need for accountability while he was still growing spiritually and emotionally, and he willingly submitted to it.
Not long after we installed it, my son mentioned how it made him feel better to know that he was being watched, because sometimes he felt weak.
I said, “You know, honey, I feel the same way.”
He was surprised. “You do?”
“Yes, of course, but in a different way. I struggle every day as a mom to do what I’m supposed to and to respond to life the way I should. But it helps so much to know I have three pairs of eyes watching me.” (Meaning, he and his two sisters).
“Oh, yeah, I guess you do. Huh!” He hadn’t thought about it that way before obviously. It clicked.
It became a great teachable moment for me to bring up the greater subject. I reminded him of a fourth pair of eyes: those of our Father in Heaven. “God is always watching our lives,” I told him. “It’s a lot like that viewer on the computer, only He doesn’t just see our actions…He sees our hearts too. And that gives us built-in accountability for all of life, even when others aren’t watching.”
I told him that if we ask God for “ways of escape” and for help with our temptations as Scripture teaches, that He will be faithful to provide them as He watches us and protects our hearts. It was a great reminder for me too, and honestly, I still need the reminder to this day.
It’s a simple principle, I know. But do we get it?
The Lord on High sees us. He’s intimately interested in our hearts, our minds and the deeds that flow from them. He’s not apathetic. He’s willing to fight for our hearts to be completely undivided and focused on Him as we live out our daily callings. And the best thing of all is that it isn’t a fear-based, works sort of looking, where He will strike lightning or smite us every time He needs to get us in line. His intent is for a healthy fear that drives us to love Him fully, lean on Him more, to make our faith the real deal.
Don’t you love it that He loves us this much, and that He loves our kids this much…that He’s looking out for them even when we as moms can’t be there to watch.
Because the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, we can have victorious, never-failing, Christ-powered accountability. Let’s submit to His loving authority today.
“From Heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;
from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth-
He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.”Psalm 33:13-15, NIV
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV
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