Lessons from the Heart
Are you looking in the wrong places?
By Matt Stump

Matt Stump is youth minister for the Flora-Bringhurst United Methodist Churches.

Something is always missing. I have noticed that in my life, and I am sure that many of you can echo this sentiment. From the car keys to a remote control for the TV, to a dog or a cat, there is always something that we can't seem to find. This holds true for many families as well. Moms, dads, kids alike all seem to feel this sense of something missing.

Several years ago another pastor and I had the opportunity to talk with a family going through a rough time, almost to the stage of divorce, and I will remember the dad s a y i n g "Something in our family is just not there."

Now this was a family that went to church on Sundays, was upstanding in the community, and was well liked. They were well off financially, had a beautiful home, nice cars, and the kids pretty much had all they wanted. On the outside it seemed that the family had everything. However, the dad knew something was missing.

I do not think this is uncommon in our families today. A majority of the time we have all we really need and most of our wants, but there is of course something always missing. I want you to take notice of the divorce rate for just a second. I know that this has been pounded into your head over and over again. Over 50% of marriages will end in divorce. Why? Many couples will tell you that something just wasn't there.

We forget. Sunday mornings are simply not enough to keep a family together anymore. I am sure that many of you reading this article go to church. Hopefully, there are some of you who do not go to church, that read this section of the paper once in a while because we are trying to reach you. In either instance I want you to read this next part. God, now more then ever before, must become a major part of your personal life and your family.

Look at our culture in the U.S. Our culture is becoming one that prides itself on destructive behavior. Television shows glorify drinking, drug use, extra-marital affairs, and teenage sex. Music makes it sound as if self-destruction through the aforementioned items is how the world is and it's just what happens. Media has become our religion in this nation, and we worship it with undivided attention. Because of this fact, we make space in our lives for this belief, and thus we let go or drive out God.

Moms and dads no longer take time to pray together as a couple. Parents do not show their kids how to pray as dinner is once again in front of TV tonight. Sure, Sunday morning worship is there for some, but what do we do after the last song is sung and we leave?

If you are having trouble in your family, or if you feel that something is missing in your own life, perhaps the first step is to pray and get in touch with God. Maybe that something that has been missing has been Someone who has been there all along.