Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil 4:8

My children are intrigued by the dirtiest things. And to define children, I mean my daughter and my dog. My furbaby, Baylor, is my oldest. He is hilarious and crazy. Sort of like an indoor horse with the personality of an innocent toddler. My daughter, Summer, is a fireball straight from Heaven. She is vivacious and energetic and passionate.

I can almost guarantee at any moment both of them would prefer the gross over the clean.

My husband and I were stuck at an airport several months ago and my baby had a complete, inconsolable, colicky meltdown in front of everyone. I was able to extinguish the fire by scattering trash about on the ground and setting her in the middle of it. So gross. But what else do you do when you are stuck at DIA at 2AM, sleep deprived with 6 month old, a canceled flight and no car seat?

Since then, I’ve noticed the only consistent way to calm her is to provide some sort of garbage as a peace offering. The new, clean toys we have bought for her do not work. I offer the toys on a daily basis; but in desperate times – the trash comes out (clean trash – I promise!).

This morning I raced to the shower during nap time and through the fogged glass I noticed my dog drinking out of the toilet, which was sitting right next to his clean, full, water bowl.

And then I had a moment with Jesus. He spoke to me of how this illustrated a parallel I’d been mulling over for the last few months.

He provides us with fun, new, beautifully pristine entertainment. Yet, we so often settle for trash. Even if it’s “clean trash.” Our appetites have been curbed and shaped by the diet we’ve consumed, despite the fact that we were designed to partake in the beauty and purity He created.

Oh, how often I settle for second-class entertainment. Gossip, slander, coarse joking, trashy shows on TV. Brainless Facebook scrolls. Instagram checks. Another e-mail retrieval.

Some of these sources of entertainment are actually deemed sinful according to Scripture.

Some of these sources of entertainment can be good things! Even clean things that God might use in our hearts.

But sometimes, I cling to even the good things in lieu of experiencing the great things God has provided for me to enjoy. The things that He created just to bring me pleasure. Like a sunset, or a media-free evening with my family. Or sleep. Or a quiet dinner by candle light with my husband.

I’m realizing how my entertainment diet has shaped my cravings. And how those cravings have directed my intake. And how my entertainment intake has guided my behaviors, thoughts and feelings.

I want to drink from the clean bowl. And I want to be entertained by the things God created for me to enjoy.

 

“but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. Psalm 101:2-3

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4

And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. Luke 8:14