Kevin's World - The Facts

Last week, I wrote about my family studies class and what I was learning from it.  Recently, Lisa and I have also started reading together a book entitled Strengthening Our Families written by professors from the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University and edited by David C. Dollahite.  It is full of valuable insights into family life.  Because of my sudden exposure to family studies from multiple angles, I am going to dedicate this space to writing about families.  I can't tell you for how long, but I will keep on the topic until I run out of things to write about.

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One of our recent readings from Strengthening Our Families included some statistics about chastity and marital fidelity that are not often cited.  It references studies that show the benefits of marriage on physical and mental health, economic status, and sexuality.  Indeed, for those who look, the evidence of the good that marriage does for individuals is abundant.  The joy that is brought about by marital and family life brightens the day of millions of people from all walks of life.  However, the truths of marriage are not frequently brought up.  Whether through simple neglect or something more sinister, many elements of society portray marriage as something that is at best unnecessary and at worst damaging.  How can that be reconciled with the unstated good that it does every day?

Once we look beyond the sophistry of demagogues to see the facts that lie beneath, we become much more capable of finding the joy that lies in reality.  All the smoke and mirrors that are placed before us may tantalize the senses and keep our rapt attention for a short time, but at the end of the day, only that which is real can bring us real happiness.  In all areas of life, once we find the truth, we are free to pursue it.  As we search for joy, may we look where the sun shines, exposes the lies and imitations for what they are, and may we bask in the glow of that which we know makes us happy.  Because when all's said and done, no one knows what makes us happy quite like we do.

And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth shall make you free.

- John 8:32