I have to admit, the first time I heard about this I was upset too. I was not upset that Disney included this in their show; I was upset because of the reality of that in today’s society. It broke my heart that kids so young have to face the reality of something we wish we did not have to explain because it is against our Christian beliefs. But the truth is it is our reality. I do not believe telling our children they can no longer watch this television show solely on the basis that a lesbian couple was introduced is going to benefit them.

The reality of today is that homosexuality exists, and it exists in a large capacity. It is very likely that by the time our children are teenagers that homosexual marriage will be legal in every state. Sheltering our children from this reality is not going to help them; in fact it may even hurt them. I believe this should serve as a reminder to parents to be proactive about being that voice in our children’s lives. It should serve as a reminder that we need to be open in teaching our children right from wrong based on our Christian beliefs even in the areas that are hard. If we are not teaching them what we believe, what we believe to be right from wrong, the likelihood that someone else is teaching them their own beliefs is pretty great. Banning them from a television show that brings up this controversy doesn’t change the fact that when they leave the house they are more than likely to come in contact with the same thing. Disney only brought something up that is relevant to today’s culture, whether we agree with it or not, and whether we wish it was relevant or not. If Disney would have brought it up in an inappropriate fashion, I could understand it being something we would not allow to be watched in our home. But the reality of a homosexual couple being seen at the grocery store, your child’s school, the mall, or at the park is pretty likely. As parents, we are at a place where we cannot pretend it does not exist.

This happening and the chatter that has accompanied it has been on my mind for some time. I haven’t been able to ignore what God was speaking to me in the moment.

If we as parents respond in shock and distaste at Disney introducing a lesbian couple and ban our children from watching the show, what is that teaching them? If we respond in disgust and hate at the thought of Disney taking it upon themselves to bring up homosexuality, what message is it sending our children? I believe the way they may one day respond to discovering that a friend of theirs has two dads, or a friend of theirs is gay could be a direct representation of the way we reacted when Disney introduced the concept on a television show. I do not believe that Disney was crossing boundaries in bringing a lesbian couple on the show; I truly believe they were just making the episode relevant to today’s culture. I understand that Disney may support homosexuality, but expressing their support was not their intentions in the show. Even in our disagreement with the family dynamic, it matters how we respond. Yes, it is important that we explain to our children what we believe the Bible says on the matter, but I believe we need to be careful not to explain to them with a hateful attitude or a heart of disgust. It is important that we teach them what the Bible says on the matter, but it is even more important that we teach them how to respond to it. The more we can guide our children in responding with love and grace the more of a chance they have to impact those around them.

There is never a moment that we want to have that conversation with our kids. There is never a perfect moment to take the innocence of our little child and introduce them to the evil that is in the world. We don’t like to answer those tough questions. That is our job as parents. We are called to be that voice in our child’s life teaching them what God’s word tells us. It doesn’t help to shelter our children. Thankfully, we have a God who equips us in those moments who can guide us and give us the wisdom to have those conversations with our children.

Through this I believe that God was speaking two very important things to me. I believe that even with the controversy this post might spark, He wanted me to share it with you.

The first; as parents we need to be diligent about teaching our children in the ways of the Lord.

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)

Sometimes this is easier said than done. The moment our child asks why there are two women holding hands at the grocery store or why their friend has two dads. The moment our child asks why this kid in his class parents don’t live together. The moment our child asks where babies come from. I guarantee you are going to shiver and wish they never asked. Instead, we should thank God they are asking! Praise God that your child is coming to you, the one who can teach them what the word of God says on each of these matters, rather than someone else. When you are done cringing – pray. Pray that God will give you the words to speak. I guarantee you will need to explain each subject differently depending on the age of your children. But I also can guarantee if you do not take the time to teach your children, someone else will. We do need to guard our children from what they watch and what they listen to. But pretending that something is not a reality today because we truly wish it wasn’t is not going to help our children. If they are not seeing it on a television show, I guarantee they are seeing it somewhere else. Use those moments to sit down and teach your child. In teaching your child what we believe, remember you also teaching your child how to respond to others who choose that lifestyle.

Which leads me to the second thing, the way we teach our children is just as important as teaching them. What do I mean by this? Let’s say you are watching that episode of “Good Luck Charlie” and the two moms enter on the screen. If you immediately shout, “I cannot believe this is on this show!” Turn it off, and proceed to tell your children how we do not agree with that, so we are no longer going to watch the show. They are going to sense your distaste with the topic, and may even duplicate it when they are presented with the similar subject. I truly believe that if Jesus opened the door to a play date, and standing on the doorstep were two moms, he would have invited them in. He would have had them stay for dinner. He would have loved them. He would have expressed His disagreement, but He would have loved them. He would have not pretended that it never happened, and in anger and distaste never allow the children to play together again. It brings me back to two incredible stories in the Bible: Zaccheus and the Woman at the Well. Both of these people were living in sin, and Jesus loved them. He even had dinner with one of them! I believe that Jesus would do the same today.

I believe there is a time where we can become to legalistic; a time where we forget what really matters. I don’t believe watching this show means that you support this lifestyle. I would say the same thing if your child invites a friend to a Birthday party who has two moms, it does not mean you are supporting it. I just believe that it is reality today. It is a wake-up call as parents to be the voice in your child’s life – to be the one teaching them right from wrong. It is also a call to love, to love like Jesus loved.

{Disclaimer: I realize that this is a very sensitive topic among Christians and non-Christians alike. I completely understand the argument of exposing kids to something so confusing at such a young age, but I also believe the exposure today is everywhere. I do not condemn anyone who has decided to remove the show from their home. The thoughts above are what God spoke to me on the subject and what my husband and I have discussed. I only hope to bring to light another side of the situation. I welcome any comments on the matter, but I do ask that they be appropriate. Anything that is rude or degrading I will remove. Thank you for understanding.}