veneration "bube tube"

I have a love-hate relationship with television. Love: the entertainment, the notion that t.v. both shapes and reflects culture, but mostly the plop-on-the-couch-and-shut-off-my-brain effect. Hate: See above.

Growing up, t.v. was frequently characterized as an enemy, whose wiliness was tamed just long enough to watch the news or The Cosby Show before you found yourself surrounded and unarmed. I carried that prejudice to college and ushered it into marriage. Lately it's made a resurgence with a little one at home.

"What's the big deal?" I occasionally ask. If t.v. is a reflection of society and a culture maker, I should know it well in order to maintain relevance as a believer, right? Enter sin. Slothfulness, idolatry, and covetousness make their surreptitious entrance as I cozy into the couch a little deeper and throw on a blanket for warmth.

Maybe I struggle with moderation in this area, but I also tend to agree with my older sister's comment about the television industry: "Hey, they're good at what they do." Indeed. I can easily shut off and tune in for an hour or two before I realize I forgot to hang up the diapers, put away the dishes, or meant to go to bed early.

What about t.v. as a form of bonding? One of my undergraduate professors addressed this question in an Interpersonal Communication class. His response: television often acts as a barrier to communication between individuals. Instead of talking about your struggles, joys, etc., you focus on something else--a distraction. Though I agree in some instances, I find discussing films and shows fruitful. Then again, I have to critically observe to have those conversations.

Most of my summer evenings have been unplugged and open-booked, and I've found it refreshing and peaceful. I think I'll continue this practice--in moderation, of course.

"in het midden" debut

I've contemplated starting a blog for months now. I need to write, and this is the perfect excuse to get motivated.

This is a personal blog, and the title derives from the following:

1.) In high school I was a 'tweener because I didn't quite fit the jock, nerd, class clown, or musician stereotypes. I was all of them--to a greater or lesser extent--, and I often found myself ensnared in the middle of diverse interests, each one vying for my preoccupation. Not much has changed. Here's a brief list of my more recent "in-between" roles: wife, mother, stay-at-home mom, teacher, reader, baker, athlete, writer, cook, photographer, traveler, sewer, canner, gardener.

2.) As a follower of Christ, I often find Christianity is a balancing act to avoid unbiblical polarizations, which often manifest themselves as "-isms." I desire the gospel to be the root of my life, and I want it to sustain my endeavors while I stand in the middle of multiple realms: the already and the not yet, in the world but not of it, the kingdom of God and the earthly one.

3.) "In het midden" is a Dutch translation of the English "in the middle." Because I'm from a Dutch heritage, the name seemed fitting--especially since the English title was taken. It also suits me because I'm from the Midwest, somewhere between young and old, a middle-end child, and usually mid-thought. Not especially profound, but there it is.