Alright, so apparently I don’t read as many blogs as I thought I did. Thus, I believe that this will be the last week of “Top 3 on Tuesday,” at least until I find another cool blog to share. Perhaps in the future, this will continue as a sporadic series. Really, though, who can tell at this point?
Since the purpose of this series was to share some good reads, I did want to share two articles I read this week that were very timely to me. Since our family has been spending a lot of time trying to preserve our cherished “family time,” I read with interest two articles that dealt with that very subject.
The first was from her.meneutics (say, that’s another blog I read, albeit not regularly). It was called, “Mourning the Death of Family-Friendly TV”, and to be honest, I started reading it thinking I was going to get on my high horse regarding the lack of quality broadcasting these days. Instead, I ended up on my high horse regarding the need for quality time as a family. I know, I know–I shouldn’t get on my high horse. It’s bad and prideful. I’m working on it.
(But it was a good read.)
Then, I was very surprised to read the latest entry in the “What I Want You to Know” series over at Rage Against the Minivan. It was written by a teenager who was mourning the fact that her mom went back to work three days a week (ahem). Much of what she wrote sounds, um, retro (read: backwards) by today’s standards, and so I was a little surprised it was posted on such a “forward thinking” blog. However, it was honest and heartfelt, even with all the solipsism that one would expect from a teenager. Plus, it really made me think about the way my employment decisions affect my kids.
I honestly did search for a third blog to fit this theme of “the counter-cultural preservation of the family structure,” but I came up short. Thus, you only get a “Top 2.” Sorry about that. If you find a third, I’d love to read it!
Have you read anything good this week?
Kingdom Civics 
Posted by Tim on April 10, 2012 at 8:15 am
Kim, I agree with your take on the her.meneutics article. It really got me thinking too, and we’ve no longer even got kids in the house. (Well, not permanently anyway.)
As for other good things I read this past week, you mean other than here on KC, right? I just read a short and touching guest piece over at Karen Spears Zacharias’s blog: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/karenspearszacharias/2012/04/09/in-the-presence-of-god/
Happy Tuesday,
Tim
Posted by kingdomcivics on April 10, 2012 at 7:52 pm
I loved it, Tim. Thanks!
Posted by bekster081305 on April 10, 2012 at 2:11 pm
I actually have some things to share this time. This was posted over a week ago, but I really liked this post from TRJ: (The posts come to my e-mail now… I try to read all of Tim’s posts, but I look at some of the others too if they get my attention.)
http://theradicaljourney.com/2012/04/02/an-apology-letter-to-homosexuals-at-olivet/
I found it very refreshing to see a post about homosexuality that still counts it as a sin but promotes treating the people with love.
Also, I read an article that my friend suggested on facebook:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2003/03/caring-for-your-introvert/2696/#.T3yOHi69myh.facebook
It’s not necessarily a Christian thing, but it is a humorous, tongue-in-cheek look at the differences between introverts and extroverts. As an introvert myself, I found it very interesting. (Sidenote: I have always considered myself an introvert because people tend to suck my energy. However, living here where there is ALWAYS SOMEBODY around, I have started to take on more extroverted tendencies. I get lonely once all of the mission workers go home, but then if it is a “church night” I get excited because I get to see people. I would think I would have the opposite reaction and be so relieved to have time by myself.)
Oh, and speaking of mothers going back to work, my dad retired and my mom went back to work when I was in middle school, and that was really not good for me. I think it really hurt my relationship with both of them, and it probably caused me to become emotionally independent much earlier than I should have been. Maybe if I had been used to my mom working before it would have been different, but to have such an abrupt change at a time when there was so much “drama” in my life was very hard. Although I totally understand that many mothers have no choice but to work and many are able to meet the needs of their children just fine while doing so, I definitely think that children need their mothers more than society lets on.
Posted by Tim on April 10, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Becky, that article form The Atlantic is a hoot. I especially liked this line: “Remember, someone you know, respect, and interact with every day is an introvert, and you are probably driving this person nuts.” Yes!
An introvert,
Tim
Posted by bekster081305 on April 10, 2012 at 5:03 pm
My personal favorite was, “Are introverts arrogant? Hardly. I suppose this common misconception has to do with our being more intelligent, more reflective, more independent, more level-headed, more refined, and more sensitive than extroverts.” Yeah. 🙂
Posted by Tim on April 10, 2012 at 5:14 pm
I know! I actually chuckled out loud at that part. I think doing so was very unintroverted of me.
Posted by kingdomcivics on April 10, 2012 at 8:14 pm
You guys! THIS is the week you pick to share cool stuff with?? The LAST week? Seriously, I might have to keep it going if you can chime in with fun articles! I liked both your articles, Becky, especially the introvert one. People exhaust me, and I despise small talk (my goal is to move people on to their life story as soon as possible, as that is infinitely more interesting to me than polite conversation.) I do, however, like to work out my thoughts via sharing (clearly). I prefer sharing one on one, though, or in writing. Basically, whatever gives me the least chance of being interrupted. That sounds horrible, I know…but I do hate to be interrupted. To be fair, I also like written communication because it gives the other person time to finish their thoughts, too. That’s what I want, really–just a conversation with complete thoughts.
Anyway, all that to say: I really enjoyed these three articles you guys passed along. Thanks!
Posted by bekster081305 on April 10, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Haha. 🙂 You SHOULD keep it going (if you want to), even if you just post ONE interesting thing that you read during the week. It is interesting to read the various articles, but even more I like that we can learn something more about you by the things that you read. (I also like that the opportunity is there for me to share something myself. You see, that’s what it all comes down to, really. 🙂 Everything you said about being an introvert and wanting to share and everything is EXACTLY how I am too.)
Posted by Tim on April 10, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Me three. I’m game for Tuesday sharing too.
Posted by kingdomcivics on April 11, 2012 at 8:03 am
I’ll plan on keeping it going, then. I love the idea of sharing things we’ve read. Like Becky mentioned, it helps you get to know a person when you see the types of things they read and like. Also, it might be the introvert in me, but I love the level of conversation that often stems from discussing readings. It’s much better than small talk:).