Tough Love

I'm not really a fan of reality shows - they tend to come across highly contrived and over edited, which to me is not very entertaining. I must confess, though, that I highly enjoy VH1's Tough Love.

As I watched the premiere of Tough Love Couples last night, I think I may have figured out why I enjoy it so much. Its not about the couples - most of their stories just make me sad for the state of people and the way they interact with one another. For me, the most entertaining part of the show is when the host, professional matchmaker Steve Ward, calls these couples out on their individual responsibilities and shortcomings.

I can appreciate a straight shooter - why beat around the bush and sugar coat the truth? These couples willing signed up to get his help and advice - which makes it all the more entertaining when they get offended by his bluntness. What did you expect? It may be easy to brush off comments made by friends and family, but when a total stranger says the exact same thing, well, you sort of have to listen, right? Especially when you've put yourself under that person's authority.

Hmm. Sounds a bit like what I appreciate about my local church, Kansas City Baptist Temple.

Having seen the good, bad and ugly in leadership over the years, I sometimes struggle with the concept of an authority structure.  Being a single woman I've learned to become highly self-sufficient and its often difficult for me to ask for advice or assistance on any subject (much less matters of the heart,  but that's a story for another time). Over the past few years the Lord has allowed me to find authority figures that make it easy for me to ask their advice - and because I've already put myself under their structure that means I have to listen to the words they share with me. My pastors and their wives dispense words of wisdom with the confidence and authority of their years of experience. One word of advice: if you don't want to hear the answer, don't ask the question.

I'll take tough love over sugarcoating any day.