Love In A Big World: This Is Us

March 3rd, 2017

Confession: I only watch one hour of cable a week. Anything else is streamed from Netflix. My current must-see TV is This Is Us. In my opinion, it’s the best show on television. Why? The characters are honest and endearing; the writing is daring and raw. I see my own life reflected in the story of the Pearson family, particularly as an adoptive mom. It is great art, drawing me in and revealing my inner self. Each week I participate in the ups and downs of a family who encounters the joys and sorrows of life yet still love each other relentlessly. They let me know that it’s okay not to be okay.

When I was growing up, I watched The Dick Van Dyke Show reruns and Brady Bunch. Both families encountered minor mishaps. (Who remembers the episode where Marcia’s nose was hit by a football before her big date?) Although Laurie Petrie shocked the world by wearing capris instead of skirts as a stay-at-home mom, she was projecting the more traditional role of wife and mother. The Brady’s rocked the boat as a blended family trying to figure out life together. However, these television families still held to a level of perfection that seemed unattainable even to little me. 

Media serves as both a mirror and a flashlight. It reflects, and it guides. I, for one, am grateful that our culture has moved on from the overly optimistic to the heartfelt realistic views of life and family, giving us permission to be who we are instead of making us feel like we will never be good enough.

The truth is life is hard, but God is good. And each one of us believers is carrying out our salvation.

I don’t know about you, but I have been dealing with some really tough stuff the past two years — job change, moving, kid issues, singleness, retiring parents…the list goes on. A song we sang this past week during Sunday worship has been echoing in my heart the past several days, reminding me of the faithfulness of God. The bridge declares:

There wasn't a day, That You weren't by my side
There wasn't a day, That You let me fall
All of my life, Your love has been true
All of my life, I will worship You 

Resilience is the ability to bounce back despite adversity. And it starts with a choice to hold on to what is good and love anyway.

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