2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Psalm 34:14b
Do good, seek peace, and go after it.
On the final day of Vacation Bible School, the children are met with a challenge that, at first glance, seems insurmountable. They are given two sheets of printer paper, six pieces of masking tape, and a stack of five hymnals. Working in groups of two, and without any adult assistance, these rising 2nd grade super heroes are told they have to figure out a way to manipulate the paper in order to support the weight of at least one book.
I'm stymied. Stumped! You see, when God doled out my particular gifts, a penchant for engineering was definitely not in the mix. And I notice that many of the children appear to be just as baffled as I am at the prospect of successfully executing the project.
Granddaughter, Virginia Rose, and her partner, Stella, don't seem perturbed or befuddled by the assignment, and eagerly pose possibilities to one another. They come close to a solution, but it's not until a precocious young lady named Sydney actually balances three books on her paper that Virginia and Stella figure out how it's done. (Why more children in the group didn't follow Sydney's example, I have no clue.)
Here are the two girls hard at work. Will they succeed?
Careful! Careful!
Got it!!!
Can we get two?
Yes! Yes!
Let's try for three!
Uh-oh! The walls come tumbling down! But how proud these two are to have accomplished such a feat!
~
Without God's strength, we are like those flimsy pieces of paper, unable to support ourselves under the weight of cares, worries, troubles, and strife that life inevitably brings our way. But when we call upon Christ's all-sufficient grace, allowing His power to be made perfect in our weakness, then we become like those two sturdy towers, able to withstand anything and everything the world throws at us.
As the chorus of the Casting Crowns' song, "In Me," so aptly expresses:
'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind, You shine the light on me
'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that You want me
So I'll stand on Your truth
And I'll fight with Your strength
Until You bring the victory
By the power of Christ in me
Amen!
wow! That WAS quite an engineering feat! Amazing that these little girls all figured that out! Just reading about the idea/challenge made me ponder how on earth that could happen...and then I see their results and stand amazed! Yes...may we be like those sturdy towers...standing strong and tall in Christ...and ready for whatever may come...God is with us! Thank you for this great story today!!
ReplyDeletePamela, as I watched them (and snapped photos), I felt the same amazement and awe at their abilities to make this happen. And so young!!!
DeleteYes, may we all stand strong and tall with the power of Christ in us!
Love and blessings!
I do that experiment with three index cards and 9 inches of tape. It's amazing to see what the kids can do.
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds like a great experiment, Roy! Kids can really surprise us, can't they?
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, like you, I'm not gifted in the engineering area. Virginia and her friend seem to have the ability to think creatively. Hope they keep honing that gift and not let the educational system "suck" it out of them. And yes, it is through Christ that we have the strength to make it through all the "hard" the world throws at us.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
I hope their creativity and ingenuity will be nurtured and not squashed by the typical education system, too, Kim. I often wish Virginia was homeschooled, but that's not my call to make.
DeleteSo grateful that we have a firm foundation in the Lord!
Love and blessings!
how delightful and full of wisdom too. Have a wonderful weekend, Martha
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jean! May your weekend be splendid, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Rainbow Heart to the rescue! Love it that she is smiling through the whole process. (I never would have come up with that solution!)
ReplyDeleteBoy, Galen, I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one who wouldn't come up with this solution! Of course, they did get their clue from Sydney, but then they worked so collaboratively to actually execute it. Talk about teamwork! These two just awed me in so many ways!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh wow, what a cool project. I'd have been challenged with that one, too. Appreciate the analogy. So thankful I can rely on God's strength and wisdom. Happy 4th! Enjoy your week. :)
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a cool project, Karen, and one I had no clue as to how to help even if I could have. Yes, God's strength and wisdom is exactly what we must lean upon; He will hold us up in His arms of love!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, What a great illustration of how without God's strength we are like flimsy pieces of paper. Hands-on are the best kinds of lessons. I'm so proud of these young ladies. Their pictures brought a smile to my face.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace!
I was so proud of them, too, Beckie! Stella and Virginia made a great pair at VBS; we knew Stella from last year's rising first-graders, so she took to us like a fish in water, holding my hand every day while Virginia took the other. How sweet is that?
DeleteGlad the girls' excitement brought a smile to your face, too!
Love and blessings!