Several years ago I briefly had a blog devoted completely to my favorite television shows. I felt a bit silly devoting so much time to it, but it was fun and, I thought, harmless. Until a friend said she was proud of me for following my passion, that is. My passion? I thought. Surely watching TV isn’t my passion! And even if it is, I can’t very well admit that! My friend’s comment was made in kindness but it wasn’t long after that conversation that I shut down that blog.

I’ve realized since then that my passion isn’t television, but it is finding Truth in unexpected places in the world around us. Connecting the dots between the Word of God and a story I read or watch, a conversation with my kids, or the sound of the smoke alarm going off, again, while I cook dinner makes my heart beat fast as I am convicted or encouraged or inspired or comforted – and I love nothing more than sharing those connections with other people.

The TV show, Gilmore Girls, might not be the first place you’d look for inspiration or encouragement in your faith, but I’ve found it there. And I wrote a 22-day devotion inspired by moments in that television show. If you aren’t already a fan of this show about, more than anything else, mothers and daughters, I’m not here to convince you. I would like to challenge you to look for Truth in unexpected places, though — even your favorite TV show.

Below is an excerpt from *FAST TALK & FAITH: A 22-Day Devotional Inspired by Gilmore Girls.

“What are you doing?”
“I’m taking out the avocado.”
“Since when don’t you like avocado?”
“Since I said, ‘Gross, what’s that?’ and you said, ‘Avocado.’”
- Lorelai and Emily, Rory’s Dance (Season 1, Episode 9)

My daughter and I sat at the table long after dinner was finished. She told me about the new girl and the mean girl and all the drama at recess. I listened and asked questions and reminded her to be kind. And then I apparently went too far, because she wailed, “You don’t understand! I don’t know why I even tried to talk to you!” and ran to her room. She’s only nine. I thought I had a few more years before I heard those words.

After I got over the shock (and snuggled with my girl, listening harder and biting my tongue to avoid giving any more advice that night), I had to chuckle. Is there a mother-daughter relationship in all of history that has escaped that statement? And, for that matter, how many friends and siblings and spouses have hurled those words at each other? Understanding people is hard; we’re complex beings with an infinite ability to confuse one another and even ourselves.

Yet in each of us lies a desperate desire to be known. Jeremiah says to the Lord, “But as for me, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts” (Jeremiah 12:3a). Oh, to be seen and to be known! And, here’s the kicker, to be loved not despite that understanding but because of it.

So many of Lorelai’s struggles with her parents were based on a lack of understanding. Lorelai felt she had communicated her feelings, her opinions, herself so clearly and frequently over the years, only to have her parents ignore or fail to grasp any nuance of her personality. Emily failing to remember Lorelai’s dislike of avocado is merely a metaphor for this hurtful dynamic.

I suspect many of us have had similar disappointing realizations (and subsequent reminders) that someone we care about deeply just does not “get” us. It can be crushing when people fail us in that way. God, though, will never fail us that way. The God of all creation, the God who sees all, knows us. He knows us, down to the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). He knows our quirks and secrets and fears and beauty. He knows every single part of us – and calls us very good. He adores us, He is delighted by us, He knows our hearts. He knows us. He knows you.

Consider today how incredible it is that God knows you at the deepest level imaginable and He loves you for all those things He can see that we cannot. You are so loved. And you are known.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born
I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
- Jeremiah 1:5

What unexpected place has led you to Truth? How can you share that with your daughter?

For more encouragement like this, * click here to buy your copy of FAST TALK & FAITH.

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