Extreme Home Makeover

I have found a television show that I find to be profoundly Christian in its thought, word and deed. That show is Extreme Home Makeover (EHM). If you haven’t seen the show, it involves the network finding a family that has had either a tragedy or a family issue. The premise is that a team of people (the show’s stars) look at the problems affecting the family and devise a new house that will greatly facilitate a better life. The one thing they always look for is that his family has not wallowed in the self pity of the “whoa is me” mentality and despite the adversity they are facing, are giving back to the community. The group looks at each family member and tailors the house and individual living spaces to that person’s life. While the house is being built (yes they build a house from scratch in a week), the family is sent on a dream vacation.

Many of the families that have been treated to an EHM are getting along just fine with their current situation. They have learned to cope with what is going on in their lives. Someone outside has noticed their needs and they become candidates for the program. A recent episode (I have seem 3 shows, so I am not an expert) had a three children family, one son with, I believe multiple sclerosis. The mother is the primary care giver for the son with MS. She carries him throughout the house because his wheel chair does not fit in the halls. She dresses him, bathes him and even sleeps with him due to an issue with possible seizures at night. Her husband used to do the lifting but has suffered two heart attacks and is no longer capable. The mother also organized a baseball league in her town for children that cannot participate in the normal organized sports. She wanted her son to be able to play baseball and found other parents that felt the same way. This was her community contribution.

So they put up this beautiful house that has a monitor in the bed that detects seizures so the mother can start sleeping with her husband. There was a mechanized transport sling going from the bed to the bathroom to facilitate easier movement. A sit down shower so lowering into a tub is no longer necessary. There were a host of other improvements like wider halls that made for easier care of the disabled child. It was very heartwarming to see the appreciative reaction from the family. The relief of getting out from under the burden that had become a part of their lives was very apparent. An added bonus for this episode was that they were able to salvage the house. Normally they demolish the home and start over but this one appeared to be a modular home and it was donated to Habitat For Humanity so another family could start a better life.

Although there was no mention of God in the show, it looks like He is working through these people. The design team (at least on camera) is very dedicated to their task and appears to enjoy helping people. Someone has seen a family that is giving and caring and could use just a little help to make their life significantly easier. It is those who live through the adversity and remain true to their purposes that are obviously worthy of such gifts. It is much tougher to give anything to those who come with their hands out and simply expect to be helped. Jesus directed us to love one another and help one another. He did not give us the option of choosing based on our perceived level of worthiness. God has directed us to help everyone. It is families like the one on EHM that make giving easier. Unfortunately, by only being charitable for those we deem deserving, we are not following God’s path for us. What a tough row to hoe.

Icool

Cobb