Surprise

Along with the sermon today, I did a children's moment. One of the points I tried to make with the kids was that we can't always tell by looking at something, what it might become. Sometimes we are surprised. I showed them basil seeds and how different is is from a basil plant; gladiola bulbs and how different they are from the flowers. We are not always good predictors.

I tried to teach that to the kids today, but I forgot it myself.

The youth leaders went to a meeting today of several church's youth leaders to plan the 30 hour famine for April. After the meeting, we took the information back to the youth group and presented it to them. I really thought that the information about the event would entice the youth, but it didn't. They decided, unanimously, to continue to do their own youth famine and to not join in with the one sponsored by the downtown churches. We got the feeling that there is a unity among them that they don't want to loose in a larger crowd. (I'm not sure I'm expressing that well). Perhaps God has built a "small group" unit here that we didn't understand the depth of previously, but which they all realize. They weren't willing to give up their 24 hours spent together -- just them -- for the lure of a large group and larger activities.

The program that they participated in this evening was a cute idea -- they dug through a tool box to find a tool which represented a spiritual gift that they believe that they had. What they told us were their gifts was amazing. A few examples:

• I choose a tape measure because I can usually tell how far someone has come
• I choose a square because I always to the right thing
• I choose tape because I can usually patch up a situation.
• I choose a hammer because I can usually hammer a point home and convince people.

Depth that I didn't expect. What a terrific surprise.

As a final exercise, we asked them to share some of their ideas and thoughts about our church. They did a great job.

Sometimes it's a great thing to be surprised.