I always told my girls to be careful and to be alert whenever they left the house. Over the years the response became, “Yes, Mom, because the world needs more lerts.” We always laughed but I had gotten my admonition out and that was what I cared about. Well, I have been thinking lately and you know they are right. The world does need more lerts.
When I told my girls to be alert I was of course referring to when they were driving or when they were out and about. I always reminded them to listen to their “gut” feeling and if something didn’t seem right get away from it. Look around and know your surroundings especially when walking in a parking lot. Sound familiar? I bet most of you parents told your children, especially, your girls the same things. I think we all need to take this a step further and as adults we need to be “lerts” everyday.
We need to be a “lert” where our neighborhood is concerned. When I was growing up we knew our neighbors. Now, everyone is running hither, tither and nigh and barely know their own families let alone their neighbors. We need to be alert to this situation. We should know if a neighbor is sick or dies. Why, you ask, because that is what a community should do and our neighborhoods should be small communities. If what I just described is your neighborhood then I suggest thinking about having a neighborhood get together. Get neighbors onto a computer site where you can let people know if someone is ill, has something for sale or is looking for a service for example.
We definitely need to be “lerts” where our government is concerned. I mean this not just in regard to our Federal Government but local government too. If you aren’t aware of what your local government officials are doing then don’t be surprised if a porn shop opens on your corner. Go to your local community meetings and be alert to what they are planning. As for the federal level I can only suggest that you be wise in what news you listen to on a daily basis. Make sure they are telling you the facts and not their opinion. Research on your own the facts you are given. Be alert to the fact that some reporters have forgotten their role of giving the facts to the viewers and then letting them come to a conclusion.
We need to be “lerts” when it comes to a special breed of toxic people. These are people who try to pit one group of people against another just because their political views are different. I am a Conservative but I have friends who have a far more liberal view of the direction we should go as a nation but we are able to discuss things in a rational and kind manner. We are also able to joke about issues too and do it all with a respectful manner. I also “had” a friend who stopped any communication with me because I was a supporter of President Trump. Be alert to these people as they contribute nothing of value to our daily discourse or where we are going as a nation.
We need to be “lerts” when it comes to entertainment. The moral bar regarding what is funny has gotten so low it is dragging in the mud. There is a song that children in church often sing and it is, “Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes” and it goes on to say be careful little eyes what you see, ears what you hear, tongue what you say etc. I believe that we as adults need to be just as careful. I can be in my car listening to a song from my high school years, that I haven’t heard in decades, and the words come right back. Young people need to think about what songs they are absorbing because they might be in their car with their children or grandchildren one day and what words will they catch themselves singing out loud? Regarding comedy we need to remember that what we laugh at says a lot about our character. When I was young you could listen to a comedy routine with your children and parents and not worry. Be alert to what you are watching and absorbing but be twice as alert to what your children are exposed to in the entertainment world. Don’t be afraid to tell your children it is “no” because I said “no.” Sometimes they are too young to understand why and other times, well, it is as simple as, “because I am the parent and I set the rules.” Remember as long as people are willing to spend their money supporting these people they will continue to create their vulgar, anti-christian routines and songs.
We need to be a “lert” where technology is concerned especially video games. We have a generation of young people who are horribly stunted in the ability to interact with other humans because they have had computer games as their friends for so long. One psychologist recently stated that some students are so stunted that they can’t go to a basic job interview, after college, because of their lack of ability to have a one on one conversation. This is tragic! As parents we must be alert to signs that our child is spending too much time on technology and not in the real word. This is especially horrifying when you see children a young as five and six spending hours with a video for a friend and not outside with a real flesh and blood friend. Don’t get me started on the violent video games. I don’t believe that violent video games lead anyone to commit violence but I do believe it desensitizes our young people to the realities of violence and it isn’t mentally healthy.
I applaud all my “lert” friends as they charge out and try to make their world a little better one square mile at a time. And the next time you hear someone say, “Be alert!” smile and know that you are a “lert” everyday.