While engaged to be married, Steve and I were required by our pastor to complete six-weeks of premarital counseling.  In addition to an in-depth Bible study, we also completed one of the popular personality-compatiblity tests.  While I place little value in the benefit of these tests, Steve and I did find it amusing: so did our pastor.  Steve maxed out as the most dominant man our pastor had ever tested and I, as the most dominant woman. (Ooh, now there's something for a wife to be proud of.)  In fact, aside from the "subjective vs. objective" category (we maxed out at opposite ends--I'll let you guess who the subjective one was)  I was a mirror image of Steve: his perfect female counterpart. 

Of course, I'm sure our pastor never suspected the depth of our similarities.  One area in particular, I'm confident he never imagined: Steve and I are both terrified by Oompah Loompahs.  Okay, maybe "terrified" is a little strong, and perhaps, over the years, our fears have lessened, but you have to admit, Oompahs are scary.  Forget the fact that they show up in a psychadelic 70's flick in which a wild Wilder sings bug-eyed about lollipops and rainbows.  Forget the scenes of rhythmically squatting orange men singing poems about bad little boys and girls.  The truth is, I didn't even like them in the book.  Any tiny men who scurry about underground serving a psychologically warped candy-man are a bit unnerving.  Call me paranoid, but I still have moments of feeling a little creepy-crawly at just the thought of them. 

So, what's the point in exposing these seemingly unfounded Walker fears?  My memories have gotten me thinking.  What are we feeding our kids? Are seemingly harmless movies, books, songs, and plays truly harmless?  Are thoughts being planted in the hearts and minds of our children that will take years to uproot?  Are we spiritually guarding our children?  Are we helping them take every thought captive?  It seems that a new year is a natural time for reevaluating.  Perhaps it's time to throw out a game or two.  Maybe those books aren't serving a Godly purpose.  In our home, we find that it's necessary to regularly make adjustments and take spiritual inventory.  I think it's that time again.