War Cry - September 15, 2012 Page 22

Dear Looking:
I am immediately reminded of the time I
encountered a friend frantically running
to the apartment dumpster. She had acci-
dentally thrown out a birthday card in-
tended for mailing. Peering over the edge
of the container, we immediately saw it.
The lovely white envelope was among the
trash. It had retained its shape, was spot-
less in appearance and had not taken on
the odor of its surroundings. It was in the
trash, but it was not trash.

While a bit simple, this experience illus-

trates the concept behind the instructions
for Christians to "Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your
mind" (Romans 12:2a). Satan seems to
have free reign over the world. He takes
delight in keeping our sin-scarred people
in darkness, doing what he can to distract
and deaden people to the truth of God's
existence and great love. Secular society's
values, beliefs, perceptions and goals are
all tainted by the Prince of Darkness.

Those who have accepted Christ's pay-

ment for their sin and asked Him to be
the Lord of their lives have begun a life-
long journey of change. They must work,
with the help of the Holy Spirit, to "come
out of the world," to leave behind their
former lives and embrace the transform-
ing power of the Holy Spirit.

Yet they must not withdraw from the

world, as it is there that Christ needs
them interacting with people, let-
ting Christ's light shine through
them in the hopes that they
will turn towards that light
and begin their own jour-
neys with Christ.

So, believer, take every

precaution to guard your

hearts from the Evil One. Learn to identify
the warped messages of the world and ac-
tively work to block or greatly limit their
access to you. Fortify yourself with God's
Word, develop relationships with other be-
lievers, spend time daily with God. With
these, and the help of the Holy Spirit, you
will find the balance.

Dear Moving:
Moving can be very stressful on everyone
in the family but it is especially so on the
children. That you are already tuned in to
your daughter's distress is very helpful.

While there can be many good and ex-

citing aspects about an impending move,
this can be a time of loss

AUNT SALLY is happy to provide free personal advice and opinion on a variety of subjects.

Need help with relationship problems, spiritual questions, parenting situations?

Ask Aunt Sally!

Send your questions or comments to Aunt Sally via email at [email protected] or by

regular mail at Ask Aunt Sally, Salvation Army Publications, 615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22313.
Questions appropriate for printing in the War Cry will be answered through this column.

for children: loss of friends, the familiar,
school/peer status, control.

Look for ways to take some of the sting

out of the losses. Give the children some
feeling of control by involving them in
family discussions about the timeline of
the move, the mode of transportation,
the settling in at the new home. Remain
sensitive to your child's well-being during
this time, giving her opportunities to talk
about her feelings and fears.

Have some type of farewell event with

your child's friends, creating age-appro-
priate remembrances for her to treasure
in the new place. Perhaps a trip to the ice
cream shop, a slumber party or picnic.
Take pictures. Have the friends write
friendship messages in a special memory
book. For older children, make sure they
have phone numbers and addresses of
friends. Make opportunities for your child
to reconnect after getting settled in the
new home.

Encourage your child to pack a special

box of treasured items that she will want
to have the first night in the new house.

Get as much information about the

new city and home before moving. Shar-
ing will help the family see the move in a

different light, and will help them start

to look forward to a few things.

At the earliest convenience after

the move, go for a visit to your

child's new school, walking around

the halls and classrooms, if possible,

to let your daughter get a feel for

the place before her official first day

there. Walk around the neighbor-

hood, get involved in a church or

community event, to get a sense

of belonging and perhaps meet

some other children.

The two weeks before and after

a move are usually the most stress-

ful. Make sure to give the children

some special attention during these

times.

Dear Aunt Sally:
How can we be in the
world but not of it?

-- Unduly influenced

Dear Aunt Sally:
Our family is getting ready to
move among many moves in our
career. Our daughter is only 6
and is already having a hard time.
I'm worried for future moves be-
ing even harder on her. What can
we do to help ease her concern?

-- Moving Woes

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