This morning in the wee hours before sunrise, I rose early to make the finishing touches on my sermon for the day. It’s title, “Finding your Passion”. I know for some, that elusive passion at 5:15 in the morning, doesn’t even stand a chance of gaining traction until the eye sockets spring open from coffee that tastes like it was strained through a sweat sock. Not me! I live on a road that has so many screaming ambulances and firetrucks that I feel like a regular on ER. The one that passed my bedroom window at such an ungodly hour was so loud, that it subconsciously found me reaching for a fire pole to slide down that didn’t exist.

After I was rudely awoken, I reflected on the words of my sermon. It only reinforced my premise that real passion for life and God are missing today. I found it this week when I visited a family and did some errands for them. Two weeks ago I was on crutches due to a pinched nerve in my back. Now after physical therapy and a pain block, I go on errands with the vigor and excitement of a 5 year-old going to Chucky Cheese.

My wife and I took a young woman shopping this week who was sorely needing some clothes. Like the dutiful husband and Dad that I am, I sat outside the department store dressing room while the countless changes, groans, and enthusiastic approvals were expressed.

I was contented. I wasn’t on crutches, my paycheck had been deposited, and the excitement of making the day if not the week of this young woman brought a smile to my face.

I even found joy in the weather. This whole summer when I poked my head outside, it felt like a blow torch had been aimed at my head. I saw a church sign recently that proclaimed in bold letters, “The Devil called and wants his weather back!”

Well, this morning my outside thermometer registered a soothing 59 degrees. Today I have passion for many things, I’m walking with minimal pain, I’m accompanying the prettiest women I know to church, (and yes it’s my wife), and oh yeah, the Devil got his weather back!