Sticky situation

[Faithful83]

I just moved into my own apartment, and lack of cable has gotten me away from Animal Planet, and I've found a Christian channel. The other night, my mom came to visit me, and I had the Christian channel on. (Here's some background I don't really think she's a Christian other than believing in God. Also the relationship between us isn't the best.) I thought that having a Christian TV show on in the background would be a great way to witness! Unfortunately, Tuesday night is her favorite TV night and she'd rather be watching CBS dramas. Besides, what I had on was "monotone" and boring.

After we argued for a minute about what to watch, my mom grabbed the remote (which she had already used to change the channel) and turned the TV off. I insisted it be on and after a minute of that she threatened to leave and I still was not being the witness I'd hoped to be.

I finally relented and let her just have it on CBS (talk about boring, that 8:00 show is boring to me). I didn't want her to leave, partly because it would be nice to visit, and partly because she would have had to walk some distance (the car didn't work, and as it was she was dropped off), and I wanted to save her that. Of course now I'm thinking maybe I should have put God first and said: "Mom, I have to put God first and if that means you leaving then go ahead" but still that doesn't seem right.

1. Should I, as the head of that household (the only one living in that household) be able to set boundaries as to what is to go on in my home?
2. How do I witness to my mom, because that obviously failed miserably?

 

[Kepa]

I don't remember God being a t.v. show or channel. What would it hurt to allow your mum to watch her programs? Or, as she did, why not turn the t.v. off altogether. That way you guys will be able to communicate without any distractions.
Sure, you should be able to set boundaries about what happens in your home. But is your abhorrance for the CBS shows such that it would cause you great discomfort for someone to watch them? Do you feel it would make you stumble in your walk with Christ? Do you feel it would make anyone else stumble in their walk with Christ?

 

[Blank123]

I agree with Kepa, I don't think that christian TV is the greatest way to witness, seeing as how it is created for christians, not non-believers. The best way to witness is to talk to the person face to face.

 

[Faithful83]

Kepa, I love your statement about God not being a TV show or channel. That made me laugh, and even think a little.

I shouldn't say all the Tuesday night CBS shows are bad. The Guardian is okay and I like Judging Amy, But the one that comes on at 8:00 I don't even bother memorizing the name. It doesn't necessarily make me stumble, but sometimes the language bothers me. Really it's no worse than the other above mentioned shows but that coupled with it's boring nature makes it something I just don't care for.

Is Christian TV really that bad of an idea for a witness? I was hoping someone would say something that meant something. Any attempt at talking about Christianity doesn't seem to get too far...

 

[Faithful83]

I wouldn't even know how to bring up the subject of Christianity in a way that wouldn't cause the conversation to go downhill from there so to speak.

 

[Anduron]

Pray for her and for yourself for wisdom and strength to know what God wants you to do.

Witness to your mother about Jesus Christ(who He is and what He has done) and what He has done in your life. When you do witness to her and if she does not want to listen, do not force her to listen. Just stop and let her know that you would be willing to talk to her again if she may ever be willing to listen.

I shall also pray for you. God bless. Glory and praise be to God.

 

[rainbowprism]

I think if it is YOUR house and YOUR tv, you should be able to have it on whatever chanell you want! If she wanted to talk and visit, then it shoulda been off but if she came to visit and watch her own programs...I dunno I can understand your frustration. As far as witnessing, she seems kinda hostile to the idea, I would just kinda try to live as an example!

 

[jenptcfan]

If you ask God to open the doors for you to be a witness to her, He will. He may not open the doors for you to say "here's the plan of salvation, mom", all in one shot, but he will open up opportunities a little bit at a time.

I know it must be hard and frustrating to not know for sure if your mom is a Christian. I hope that you will be given opportunities to share with her what God has done in your life!