Have you ever focused on something to the detriment of everything else and then been sorely disappointed at the end? I have.
I’m sure you’re all aware that book publishers, TV and movie producers and the food industry all have techniques to get you to keep buying their products, right? With books, it’s when the author writes a series that you can’t put down. Movies are made to lead to a sequel. TV shows, like books, are a series that you can now watch for hours or days at a time, courtesy of dvds and streaming services. Of course, with food, it’s salt or sugar.
In the end, we binge.
Such a word used to be reserved for alcoholics or drug addicts, now it’s for us common folk for watching a televised series of shows. I’m a binger. How about you?
How does it make you feel? I’m depressed just writing this, as the reality hits even worse, and I haven’t even told you my story yet.
So, I openly admit, because my children are already aware, that I have an affinity for British television. Yes, I’ve already seen the Downton movie, but I’m not going there today. My real remorse comes in watching another series, William and Mary.
I wish I could say it was about a Victorian or Edwardian couple, set in simpler times, but it’s not. It is a 21st-century show with pure 21st-century British values, which basically means none, except for the importance of a good cup of tea.
So, why did I watch it, you ask? I’ll tell you. Because I’m a sinner, and curiosity killed the cat. I was interested to watch something in a more modern setting, rather than my fantasy Jane Austen life. The premise of the show centered around a widower-mortician named William, who has two girls, and a midwife single mom, named Mary, who has two boys. Sounds interesting, right?
Yeah, that’s what I thought too. Thankfully, it was only three seasons long — which should have told me something right there! I wanted so bad to see how this couple copes with life, but what I saw was a total spiritual vacuum (yes, even in a mortician too), an inability to give a moral structure to their children, who were doing everything from tagging buildings, smoking marijuana in the house, having sleepovers with girlfriends and boyfriends, and affairs with married men.
They joined their lives together out of love, but with no thought of the importance marriage would bring to their children or relationship. I watched three seasons, hoping for that Mr. Darcy moment when marriage would come. Instead, I saw them decide they didn’t need it to be happy, so they tossed a perfectly lovely and expensive engagement ring out the bedroom window! Yep, that’s how the show ended. Spoiler alert — because you do not need to watch it!
I turned off the TV and sat in my recliner shocked — not at the message I had just received, but that I had allowed myself to waste hours over the course of several weeks to watch such cultural propaganda. It hurts my heart to think that two people, who hold such an important role in the lives of people (seeing them into the world and out) could have no spiritual foundation for the work they do.
I’m saddened at the state of western culture, where nothing redeeming is provided in the portrayal of family life. I’m saddened that I got sucked into such a show, though I’m grateful that at least it does make me sad and remorseful, while countless others will watch, laugh and approve.
So, there you have it. My confession of binge remorse, because it’s Focus Friday, and I want to learn from my mistakes.
- I learned that I have to pray before I watch anything and should leave the TV off more than on.
- I learned that society is all about pleasing self. Everything in this show was about that. Death, sickness, problems come, but in the end, it’s about doing what makes you feel good, no matter the consequences.
- I learned to be ever aware of Satan’s traps — they’re all around me and they lead to binges of self-indulgence and sin.
Been on a binge lately? Hard to get off that wheel, once it starts turning, but thankfully, we have one who can give us the courage to jump to safety — right into his arms of love and forgiveness.
Confession is good for remorse and the soul.
Grace and peace.