So the other night I was flipping through channels and noticed a theme in all the sitcoms I passed. It was so obvious; I couldn’t believe I’ve never noticed it before. It’s not revolutionary or anything, but have you noticed that most sitcoms are simply about relationships? Oh, sure, the city and names change, but at their core, most shows on T.V. are simply about people doing life with other people. Those relationships can be between co-workers, friends, married couples, or parents and children. Whether it is The Office, House, or reruns like King of Queens and Friends, the landscape of “T.V. Land” is full of people doing life together.

For thirty minutes, or if we are lucky, a whole hour, we get to walk alongside our “virtual” best friends while they do life. We feel their pain. We cheer for them. We get mad at those who try to hurt them. We hang on to our seats to see what is coming next week. We get to escape the cruel world we live in and seek refuge and hope in the way it “should” be. You know, the way it is on T.V. 

Most of us would agree, however, that what we see on T.V. is far from the way it should be. But the truth is many of us spend more time listening to Patrick Dempsey on Grey’s Anatomy than we do our own husbands. Or we compare our wives to the women on Desperate Housewives.  We give up an hour of our day to watch American Idol but we don’t give up 10 minutes to work on our marriage.

Are we often sacrificing the health of our family while we plunge into the drama of TV’s version of reality?

Maybe the above hits home for you. Maybe it’s hard for you believe that your marriage is repairable, or that your out-of-control house can improve. But the truth is there is hope. That hope is in Jesus Christ. If you’re not a Christ-follower, you may think this is hard to believe. If that is you, I invite you to come out to the Porch one Sunday and talk with a Decision Counselor. Let us share with you Jesus’ message of hope. But if you ARE a Christ-follower here is some trusted advice: The road to a healthier, happier, and holier marriage & family starts with seeing your life through God’s story. Spend time in the Bible, and listen to what God says about how you are to love one another. Seek out His wisdom on how to raise your kids… and do it! Give God the dominant place in your hearts and He will show you the way it should be. Give him your time and attention. Trust me T.V. will get by without you.