NOVEMBER 13, Colossians 3:2; Romans 12:2

“Uh-oh! I’ve gotta get home, Brad!” exclaimed Boon Tat. “It’s dinner time. I was having so much fun that I didn’t watch the clock.” He reached toward the bowl of potato chips on the table. “Thanks for the snacks. Bye!” Brad grinned. “Bye,” he said. “See you tomorrow.” Boon Tat nodded and stuffed the chips into his mouth as he dashed out of the door.

At the dinner table, Boon Tat put down his fork when his plate was still half full. “I’m just not very hungry - I had potato chips and cookies at Brad’s house,” he explained.

“Boon Tat! You know you’re not supposed to eat when it’s almost dinner time,” scolded Mom. “Besides, you know we don’t want you to eat a lot of junk food. It can dull your appetite for the good food you need.” “Sorry, but it tastes so good,” mumbled Boon Tat.

Mom frowned. “And this chicken dinner I fixed doesn’t?” she asked. “I thought fried chicken and sweet sour pork were your favourites.”

Boon Tat looked at the dishes of chicken and sweet sour pork. “They are,” he said, “but I’m just not hungry. Can I go watch TV?”

Dad frowned slightly. “I hope you’re not also getting too much ‘junk food’ in another area,” he said. “Too much time spent on things like TV and video games is like taking in mental junk food. Those things don’t help you grow strong spiritually, and too much of them may dull your appetite for good, spiritual food.”

“The comic books and TV shows are all ones you’ve approved,” protested Boon Tat, “and there’s nothing wrong with my video games, is there?” “No,” said Dad, “unless they dull your desire for the things of God or take time you should use for other things.”

Slowly Boon Tat nodded. “Well… I got a book at the church library last Sunday. I’ll go read that, okay?” he asked.

“That would be better,” agreed Dad, “but no, you can’t be excused yet. Mealtime is family time here, so even if you’re not hungry, we want you to stay and talk with us.”

Thought: How much “junk food” are you getting?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me not to spend time doing worldly things but rather to focus on spiritual things. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.