The experience of having TI in the house

Working for a non-profit residential treatment facility at times means we have unique and talented people come to meet with the kids and share their words of hope and talents. Friday we had a major talent come to speak to the kids, but there's a story behind every good deed ...

TI is a huge rap art

ist/actor. He also has been court ordered to do 1500+ community service

hours in the next year. TI was arrested on gun charges facing a minimum 8 years sentence.

Completing the community service will help to reduce his sentence.

So, of course all the kids knew about TI and were ecstatic about him coming. They were more excited about him than when we had David Archuletta, just this last year... go figure, where are their priorities? We spent some time sharing with the kids about the real reason he was coming and what to expect. Imagine explaining to teens that their idol has been buying semi-automatic weapons even after having a felony charge... and those weapons were most likely not intended to be used for happy things out on the streets.

In the end, his message was focused on education. He told the kids to dream and then work their hardest to get their through educating themselves. It turned out to not be "that bad". I did enjoy seeing the ears popping up and eyebrows being raised doubtfully when he told the kids he is able to stay away from drugs and alcohol completely... the "posse" he brought with him all seemed to be "extra relaxed". (And the kids can spot it from a mile away.)

I suppose the point of this posting is the stark contrast we face in this world between those we idolize in society these days and perhaps those we should idolize. If you notice, we held the devotional in one of our chapels on campus and hanging above TI is a painting of Christ with the children. Of course I'm grateful that we had such a famous talent come to speak to our kids, not all kids get such opportunities, I sometimes just wish they were more interested in those influences that have character and traits that rise above the base selfishness of society. Y'know, like in Christ.