” We must closely attend to the word of God, for that is the word of wisdom, which is able to make us wise unto salvation, v. 1,2. We must be CONVINCED that the words of God are the fountain and standard of wisdom and understanding, …We must INCLINE OUR EAR and APPLY OUR HEARTS to them, as to wisdom or understanding itself. Many wise things may be found in human compositions, but divine revelation, and true religion built upon it, are all wisdom. We must, accordingly, receive the word of God with all readiness of mind, and bid it welcome, even the commandments as well as the promises, without murmuring or disputing. Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears….”
Act One (TM) writes brief one act skits as ice breakers for youth meetings, devotionals, and messages. This is titled Sister Love. The scene is the bathroom, 4 hair dryers and one straightener are on the counter, along with cottonballs and Qtips plus a generous array of makeup.
3 Characters:
M – Mary
S – Suzie
D – Dad
M: “Suzie, where are YOU going tonight? You look so nice.”
S: “A bunch of friends are going for pizza at Buddy’s. I’m sure when you’re older you’ll do fun things like this, too.”
M: “I don’t know…I mean, look at me. Pimples, ugly clothes –I’m such a boring person. Is there REALLY a God? I don’t know anymore.”
S: “Look, sis. Look, look up, look in the mirror. Just take a minute and look.”
M: “Yes, I see…it’s me…I told you…pimples, ugly clothes, a frown…” (Mary is crying now.)
S: “No, sis, look again. I see a WORK of GOD’S HAND, a precious young lady made in GOD’S IMAGE, a talented person, a person who is yearning for answers to hard questions. God made you and don’t you ever forget it. He fashioned you in mother’s womb. I read in my time alone with God today from Psalm 139:13-18 and it says: ‘For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wroought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.’ Then, verses 23-24 say, ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’
———————Pause——————————-
M: “Oh sis. Thanks. I really needed to hear that again. My mind plays games, I need to retrain it. I need to think differently. I need to change…”
D: “Hi Girls! I’m back from work. Hey, someone just pulled up. Suzie, is your ride here?”
S: “Yes, Dad. I love you, see you all later.”
D: “Mary — how about going out for an ice cream cone after dinner with me? Mom can stay home with your brothers and we’ll go alone – just the 2 of us.”
M: “OK, Daddy. I’d like that very much.”
Last Fall I had one of my older daughters say she felt like she grew up under a rock.? I was not offended at all, but it gave me some food for thought.? Alot of things ran through my mind.? “What does she mean by that?”? “Is she unhappy with her life?”
I told her that under God, my husband and I prayed for guidance as we raised our children (and still do).? I rest in the truth of His sovereign plan for His children.? We come before His throne daily to ask for help and direction.
Then, I started thinking, growing up under a rock isn’t so bad, really.? Years ago when my son still lived home, he would go outside with his youngest sister and together they would look under rocks.? To them, there was a treasure trove of life wiggling around under most rocks.? There were worms, and pillow bugs (curly bugs), moisture, and many other living things under the rocks.? So much so, they would sometimes run in the house and tell us of all the wonderful things under the rocks!
As we go through life and raise children, we offer them shelter, food, water, protection, provision, prayer, guidance.? We purpose to shield our children from many of the external influences that can creep in.? Much of that protection is intentional.? In a Christ-centered home, we take time to instruct in the ways of God, read Scripture, memorize passages/verses, pray together.? Many seeds of truth are planted and watered.? We gradually let go of our children and allow them to make more and more of their decisions.? With God’s help, much fruit results.
Under the solid Rock of Christ, much growth occurs.
Just in case one of your children tells you, “I grew up under a rock,” simply sigh and give Him thanks for the guidance and blessing He has given.? After all, there’s lots of life under rocks, usually.