Kevin, grace, and change

-

 Kevin McCallister’s creativity and ingenuity is brilliant.

Michael Jordan on the train. Tar and nails on the steps. Searing hot door knob. Paint cans from the banister.

And that’s just a fraction of his creativity, quick thinking, and resourcefulness.

The strategy that he employs in Home Alone to outsmart two thieves is impressive. Ok, Harry and Marv don’t have too much upstairs, but they appear to have had some previous success at their job.

While most 8 year olds will never have to defend their homes from Wet Bandits on Christmas Eve, we love watching him be the hero, MacGyver style.

Just like Kevin, our own kids have that same resourcefulness. They have strategy. They outsmart opponents. They are, quite frankly, brilliant.

Yeah, you may not see it every day and for the moments it’s on display, you might not be around. But that’s ok. It’s there. Trust me.

This can get very frustrating, though. We want nothing more than to see our kids be the best they can be. We want to see them excel, do great things, overcome life’s battles.

This may even cause us to push them so that we can see what we’re “missing”.

The Bible speaks to this, too. Colossians 3:21 encourages parents, and especially dads, to be careful to not discourage their kids. This can be really easy to do when we don’t see those characteristics in our players that we want to see.

So, as you give gifts this Christmas, give your player the gift of grace. Know that as they move throughout their life, they are somewhere, somehow demonstrating those characteristics, one way or another.

And of course, no Christmas season is truly complete without at least watching Kevin’s first round with Harry and Marv once. 

And when you do, also make sure that you invest some time watching your player demonstrate their own style of Kevin’s ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness. Sure, your player may not be using a tommy gun from the 1940’s, but it will be so much fun to together tell that level boss, “Keep the change, ya filthy animal!”


We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How God is in gaming and the 15 second prayer

-
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably asked yourself at least once: “How many hours can a human being spend on Fortnite before they turn into a couch cushion?” I hate to break it to you, but gaming isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s the largest entertainment industry on the planet. Your kids’ favorite worlds aren’t distractions from real life; they’re where friendships are forged, challenges are faced, and get this: even where God can show up. That’s right: video games, gaming, and esports aren’t barriers to God. They can actually be bridges. For both you and your kids. (Yeah, I saw your jaw drop.) Every parent knows the daily grind: laundry piles, homework checks, dishes after dinner, chauffeuring kids from one activity to another. Gamers know it as XP farming, loot hunting, and climbing ranked ladders. But, what if you saw your child’s grind in gaming as a way to talk about the grind of faith? Scripture calls us to a steady, daily practice with things like reading God’s Word, prayer,...
Read more

The Digital Playground That Never Closes: Why Your Kid Can't Stop Playing Roblox

-
If you've ever wondered why your child seems physically incapable of logging off Roblox, congratulations – you've discovered what happens when behavioral psychology meets Lego-style graphics. That innocent-looking game has captured attention spans with the tenacity of a caffeinated octopus, and it's no accident. Roblox isn't just a game; it's a masterclass in addiction disguised as childhood fun.  Let's see exactly how it works its magic. The Slot Machine in Your Living Room Your kid's brain on Roblox is basically your brain pulling a Vegas slot machine. That "maybe this time" feeling when they're hunting for rare pets or epic victories? That's a variable reward schedule – the most powerful tool in the addiction playbook. The beauty (or terror) is that rewards come at completely random intervals. Sometimes luck strikes within minutes, sometimes they grind for hours with nothing. This unpredictability doesn't discourage them – it hooks...
Read more

Why Your Solo Gaming Kid is Actually More Socially Prepared Than Their Extroverted Friends - Part 1

-
PART 1 [We usually write directly to parents about gaming and community, but in this blog and the next, we have something special. If your gamer kid is spending lots of time playing alone, feeling isolated, or if you've been wondering how to help them connect with others who share their interests, this one's for them. Feel free to share it, or better yet, read it together. We're speaking their language to help them see what you already know—they have incredible skills that translate beautifully to real-world connections.] - - - - - So you've been grinding solo for... let's not count the months, okay? Whether it's been single-player campaigns, solo queue ranked matches, or just you versus the AI, you've been perfecting your craft in blessed solitude.  Now someone's mentioned this mythical thing called "in-person gaming" and you're wondering if your controller skills translate to, you know, actual human beings in the same room.  Plot twist: t...
Read more