Then the kids came in

I saw a great thing the other night. I was checking email and doing some ministry stuff and work stuff...ok, so I was reading Auburn football articles, ya caught me. In the background I had Extreme Home Makeover on. Like American Idol, I don't watch the whole episode anymore. It's the same stuff. Same plot, same layout, I know what is coming. So I generally watch the beginning and the end.

This particular episode they were building a home for a pastor who had dedicated his life helping troubled teens. He was a "biker" pastor, big dude who lived in a mobile home. They, of course, built him and his family this HUGE, awesome home. As they walked through it, his response to everything was just so-so. He wasn't an extremely emotional guy, so his reaction to the new home and new appliances was just mediocre.

But something cool happened when they took him in the rec room. They built this great room, filled with a pool table, air hockey table, lounge area, etc. And again, like previous rooms, he just smiled and said, "Ok, ok, wow, good." But then they opened a door and all the kids that he had "adopted" poured in the room. All of a sudden, he seemed to be Santa Claus. All of a sudden, he seemed to have won the lottery. His excitement could not be contained. He smiled and shouted and picked em up and bear hugged everyone in site.

Interesting lesson there, eh? His joy was not complete until the kids came in. He wanted to share this new home with them. THEY were the reason for all that had been built. THEY were his passion. Here he had been shown new furniture and new appliances and a home that all of us would die to have....but he got most excited over the kids.

That'll preach.