I saw an interesting show the other day about a family from New Jersey that spent time living with a tribe in Africa.  Of course, at first the children didn't want to go.  And their parents were so sure that it would be good for them.

Africa presented culture shock for all of them.  They had to walk long distances to get water and food.  There was absolutely none of what we consider modern amenities.  At first it seemed boring because it lacked the constant noise of TV or cell phone or video games and other stimuli.

But the children actually learned what I think their parents had hoped they would learn.  The one son said he discovered we don't need everything we think we need.  It helped him to sort out what is essential from what is luxury, and maybe even to second guess the wanting -- if no longer the needing -- of some things.

But what the father learned struck me the most.  He said he watched his boys with the mentor from the tribe who had taken them under his wing.  They would go on long walks together and the mentor would just listen to what was important to the child.  This apparently was a new idea to the father.  He though parenting was about imparting his knowledge and teaching his children the things that they needed to survive in this world.

You would have thought that in a primitive African tribe, there would be so much crucial to survival to teach that a mentor would be in perpetual instructor mode.   But in reality, the mentor taught these boys they were valued and loved and worthy of spending time with just for their own sake.  There the family learned the real value of relationship.

I spent last week talking about ordering and rethinking priorities.  Now that you have so much more free time think about how you give it out.  Sure, our children need to learn that they don't need everything they think they do.  But first we need to learn that same lesson.  But if we do it by depriving them and us, something else will take its place.  But if we do it by offering ourselves in place of what is not essential then they will have gained something.

Just so with our relationship with God.  It is not about learning the rules and survival techniques for a Christian.  It is about relationship.  I remember very little from Sunday School as a child, but I remember feeling valued.  I remember knowing that God loved me.  I gained a relationship there too.  All we have to do is emulate the one we praise so much, for God always has time to listen.

Lord,
Help us to look inside ourselves for what our children and our world need and help us to give as generously as you do. 
Amen