Have you ever seen pictures of the people in African villages washing clothes, bathing and drinking from the same filthy water source? Day after day, they’re consuming dirty, diseased water, and they are getting sick and dying.
In the same way, people in our country are getting sick from a lack of clean, truthful resources. They’re consuming polluted, dirty stuff from the world’s well, and it is inflicting enormous emotional, mental and even physical pain in relationships and on families.
How do I know? I know because people are telling us. They’re emailing and commenting on our websites, blogs and social media outlets by the thousands.
They know something is missing in their marriage. They know what their kids are consuming isn’t good for them. They know things are not the way they’re supposed to be. They’re searching and thirsting for something that will satisfy them. So where are they turning for answers? More often than not, they’re searching online for answers.
- 85 percent of people in the U.S. are now online.
- 98 perecent of those online say the Internet is an essential source for their information, including information about parenting, marriage and relationships.
The Internet is not people’s additional stop; it’s their first stop.
What are they searching for the most? What are people really craving? Love. To love and be loved. This year, there will be 360 million online searches in the U.S. alone for love—more than the entire US population.
People are going to the Internet to answer their deepest questions. Unfortunately, they are getting tainted advice that will make them even sicker. People are searching for love in all the wrong places, and they don’t even know what love is.
People crave love. Like water, love is a basic need. We were created in the image of God and therefore created to love and be loved.
In His greatest commandment, Jesus said we’re to love God and love others with everything we’ve got (Matt. 22:36-39). Love is all about giving—giving selflessly and sacrificially to others. Love. We crave it, God commands it, but people can’t find it.
That’s why Family First is here. Our sole mission is to provide parenting, marriage and relational truth that helps people love their family well and gives them greater hope for the future.
For years, we’ve been bringing that truth to millions of people each day through our All Pro Dad, iMOM and Family Minute programs. We bring it in NFL stadiums, in public schools, on billboards, on mainstream radio and online. We’re doing it in the world.
Our purpose is to bring glory to God by sharing His truth, His love and His hope to families worldwide. It’s for our kids and grandkids. And it’s for you, me and the thousands like us who want to love well.
If you’re a dad, check out allprodad.com for the resources you need to be a better dad and love your family well.
If you’re a mom, check out iMOM.com for the encouragement and resources you need to help you love your family well.
For resources to help you stay relationally fit, then check out FamilyMinute.com and sign up for the Family Minute email.
Mark Merrill is the president of Family First. For the original article, visit markmerrill.com.
Joseph Mattera 
BJ Foster 
Shelby Bowen