Real Life Soap Operas

My father took some friendly teasing when we discovered that he was a regular watcher of the sitcom, “Dallas”. Basically, Dallas was an evening soap opera about the wealthy Ewing family and all the drama of being rich and powerful. All My Children, Days of Our Lives and General Hospital were the afternoon soap operas during my father’s era and continued into my generation also. To those who were hooked on daytime or evening soap operas, I wondered why real life was not drama enough.

The recent resignation of retired General David Petraeus as CIA director because of an extramarital affair is a real life soap opera currently in our nation. The lover, a woman who wrote Mr Petraeus’  biography, was discovered by the investigation of harassing emails from the lover to another woman perceived as a rival by the lover. Another US general is under investigation for his exchange of emails with the “rival” woman.

Drama, drama, drama.

Our local news of a senior pastor in our community accused of sexual abuse is a reminder that these dramas have real marriages, real children, real victims, and real consequences in each one. It is easier to remain a spectator and judge when the drama is only played on our televisions. But when accusations and devastating events are heard in face to face conversations with tears and realization of the damage caused, then real life has enough drama.

The drama with Petraeus is far from  most of our worlds. There are real dramas happening all around us everyday that God calls us to walk with the good and bad days of those near us.

Romans 12:15 NIV
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

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