Too Painful To Watch

A couple of years ago Sherron and I began watching the enormously popular TLC program Jon and Kate Plus 8. Most of you are aware of the premise of the program so I won’t go into much detail. Suffice it to say, that after having twins and then sextuplets Jon and Kate Gosselin were approached about doing a reality program following their day-to-day lives. The busy parents have said that they accepted the offer primarily because it would provide them the opportunity to have a video record of their children growing up.

As everyone in America now knows, things have turned really ugly in the Gosselin household. Both Jon and Kate have been reported to have had affairs and are making the cover of gossip magazines on a weekly basis. The program that was once so sweet and provided a transparent look into the lives of a seemingly well grounded family has become too painful to watch.

Jon and Kate promoted themselves, and may possibly be, evangelical Christians. In fact Sherron and my daughter Ashleigh went to see them speak at a local church last year. Jon often wears tee shirts with Bible verses on them and one program dealt with the parents getting themselves and their eight children to and from church. Besides the fairly normal times of expressing open frustration, mostly due to fatigue, Jon and Kate seemed to have a loving and sacrificial marriage. If you have watched the show you know I could be much more critical than this but I won’t cast any stones here.

Anyone with the slightest amount of discernment could see the problems the family now face coming a mile away. I think it all started when because of their meager financial situation companies started giving the family stuff. They received all expense paid trips to a ski resort, to Disney World, along with multiple other places. Their children were given clothing and toys beyond what their parents could have ever afforded for them. Jon and Kate both were provided with free cosmetic surgery and mom often visits the spa for the royal treatment. On top of that, endorsements gave them money to buy a bigger house and more stuff.

Not only did rampant materialism seem to creep in, enjoying celebrity status has become a major part of their lives. This seems to be a big issue especially for Kate. I watched the season finale last year that ended with trouble looming on the horizon. Jon basically said he was over doing the program and Kate said she loved it. Clearly, the motive of having a video documentary of their growing children is no longer their primary motivation for doing the show. What a warning to every Christian home to keep priorities in order!

I am saddened to see a family basically fall apart on national television and, even more so, to see Jon and Kate completely lose their Christian witness. When I think of them, it reminds me of Chris Sligh’s song “Empty Me.” You might remember Chris as a contestant on another popular television show called American Idol. I am posting his song with the lyrics below. What Chris recognized and seems to have dodged (the lure of fame and fortune), appears to have overtaken the Gosselins. Take a listen and remember Jesus’ warning that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21