Theology: A House

There once was a father who had twin boys, James and Paul. The father wanted to leave his boys something to remember him by, but all the father knew was construction. So, instead of leaving a political legacy or a vast sum of money, the father left his boys a house that he built with his own two hands. It was the greatest work he had ever built in his life. Soon after completing construction on his new home, the father passed away leaving the house to his young boys. Not a day went by that the young men did not see something new about the house that the father had hand crafted. The boys lived in awe each and every day of their lives.

There was one peculiar thing about the boys. Each left the house through an opposite door. The first time James had ever left the house, he exited through the front, and what he saw kept him from ever leaving any other way. He marveled at the four huge columns that supported the roof above the beautiful porch. He admired the handcrafted molding that surrounded the huge windows. It was a work of art. This is how he viewed his house and no one would ever change his mind.

The first time Paul had ever left the house, he exited through the back, and what he saw kept him from ever leaving any other way. He marveled at the outdoor chimney that was stacked from savannah brick. He admired the hand laid tile that formed the patio. It was a work of art. This is how he viewed the house and no one would ever change his mind.

One day the twins’ fifth grade teacher asked her students to describe something in their lives that they thought was a piece of art. Once it became apparent to the teacher that the twins both wanted to discuss their father’s house, she allowed the boys to do a joint project. The night before their presentation, the boys could not sleep. They were so excited to share with their peers and teacher the wonder that was their father’s house.

Almost in harmony, the boys told of the hard wood floors, the marble counter tops, the stained molding, the spiral staircase, the vaulted ceilings, and every other detail that was on the inside of the house. They were so excited they were running out of breath. The teacher stopped the boys to ask them about the outside of the house. The harmony ceased. James began to describe the columns and the large windows while Paul began to describe the outdoor chimney, and tile patio. James looked at Paul like he was crazy, and Paul was returning the look to James. Both children seemed so knowledgeable about the house. That is why the teacher was so confused. She could not see how two people so knowledgeable on a specific topic could have so much disagreement, especially when the two “experts” both lived in the topic at hand. It never occurred to the teacher that neither boy had ever seen the whole house.

Never stop searching.