Every now and then, I tune into 106 & Park with my daughter. A long time ago I decided that if my kids watched music videos, it'd only be while they're beside me.

That way, an otherwise negatively impressing moment could turn into a character lesson. If they're embarrassed by the gyrating video vixen as they kick it next to their mom, then my son or daughter will probably change the channel...which is totally cool because perhaps later on their vulgarity barometer may sound something like this: Would I be watching this if my mom were lounging beside me?

Now, if they're not embarrassed by the rump -shaking sex kitten or the bling-flashing goon (or whatever they call themselves) while sitting beside me, then said son or daughter will have to engage in a heart condition or purity convo. Just call Weezy, Lil Teachable Moment.

In short, as a Christian mom, watching music videos with my son or daughter is a win/win scenario.

Today, though, we're grooved (my tween daughter would SO blush if she read this) to a song by Jessie J. featuring B.o.B. called "Price Tag." It was neither racy, materialistic or on and on...in fact, it was both tastefully made AND dripping with message. And so the teachable moment came not from the hip hop star or bunny, but from lyrics that say:

It's not about the money, money, money

We don't need your money, money, money

We just wanna make the world dance

Forget about the Price Tag

Ain't about the Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching,

Ain't about the Ba-Bling, Ba-Bling

Wanna make the world dance

Forget about the Price Tag

You see, the truth is that we are living in desperate times and, although we can still have joy, we are called to live soberly.

So while gas prices are going up to $4 a gallon in most parts of the country; and while homelessness is so rampant that even the highly-visible Americans like Ms. Colorado, Blair Griffith, endure homelessness; and while deadly earthquakes make monthly occurrences, as seen with the New Zealand and now Japanese disasters, it's good to be reminded that life is precious.

Hey, we ought not waste a single second gallivanting or squandering it.

We need to take it back in time

When music made us all unite

And it wasn't low blows and video hoes,

Am I the only one getting tired?

Why is everyone so obsessed

Money can't buy us happiness

Can we all slow down and enjoy right now

Guarantee we'll be feeling all right.

I don't quite know how to put it...but we need to shake our lives the way Japan shook. Pun intended, although any insensitivity isn't. Life matters, so make yours matter. Being salt and light in the world, as Jesus put it, could be as simple as giving to disaster relief efforts, forsaking Cancun and instead participating in Alternative Spring Break outreach trips (my daughter can't stop talking about the NYU students who are teaching her drama, dance and vocal lessons this week at camp).

Making a change could mean putting distasteful record labels out of business by not downloading their songs or buying their albums. Opt instead for lyrics with lessons. Standing for Kingdom equates to financially supporting Urban Missionaries who boldly reach our inner cities like Soul Movement Crew's Mr. E.

It's funny how one song and one seemingly mindless afternoon with the kiddo could turn into a deep introspection. My hope is that this week we all take time to shake...somehow.