The Burden of Chocolate

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. - Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

Share this experience with a group of women to learn about burdens and perseverance in a practical way.

Ask each woman to place graham crackers on a plate in front of her. Each graham cracker square represents an area of responsibility in her life (mother, wife, employee, supervisor, ministry leader, volunteer, board member). Or areas may be situational such as health, finances, or travel. Women then use the icing to write a letter or create a symbol to represent each area the graham crackers represent. For “mother,” a simple “M” will do, or those women who are a bit more creative might design a smiley face with hair standing on end and eyes closed in exhaustion.

Next, women place chocolate chips on each cracker to indicate the burden associated with each area of their lives. So, an area which has little burden has only one or two chocolate chips on it, and an area that has overwhelming burden might be overflowing with chocolate chips!

Remind women: This might seem like a yummy treat when we look at one or two of our crackers, especially when we think we have the best ratio of cracker, icing and chocolate! But what if you had to eat everything you have in front of you all in one sitting?

If you’re in a larger group, break into groups of four or five to discuss these questions:
Q: What surprised you as you were sitting up your crackers?
Q: What areas do you feel the most weight/burden and why?
Q: When was the last time you felt an added burden? A release of a burden?
Q: How do you typically cope with pressures of everyday life?Q: How is this experience like coping with the everyday responsibilities and situations in your life?

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. - James 1:2-6 (NLT)

Heart of Worship

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I lift my face to the rain, letting everything wash away. I feel the rain refresh me, cleanse me. I close my eyes in preparation.

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart

I close my eyes and drop my head. My knees weaken and I slowly fall to the ground. I feel overwhelmed but free from burden.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus

My burden is light. My heart is full. I breathe in the fresh air and slowly stand to my feet. Lighter. Refreshed. Renewed.

I'll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

My hands begin to reach out to my sides, palms up. I open my eyes and focus on Jesus. It's just He and I in the crowded worship center today. He comes to me and I to Him. Because it's all about You, Jesus.

We often sit in worship services as spectators. But worship is about participation. It's an outpouring of our relationship with God. Put on some praise and worship music, and let God speak to you. Open your ears, mind, and heart. When a song resonates with you, play it several times. Journal your thoughts. Where does God lead you? Is he encouraging you? Challenging you? Comforting you? Open the lines of communication with him and tell him how you feel. And he'll draw you closer.

It's the heart of worship.

*lyrics from Matt Redman's The Heart of Worship

Savor the Sacrifice

A common thread runs through most of our Easters past. We decide which of three worship services to attend, usually the middle one, because it doesn't force us to get up too early, but we still get out of church early enough to drive the hour to my parents' house before lunch. Where everyone's waiting.

My family is the only church-attending family, so one of my sisters complains the schedule on Easter always revolves around me. By the time we arrive, there's a bit of tension in the air. In fact, we've missed major drama a couple times (which I've been thankful for!). Yet I love spending time with my extended family on Easter. I grew up on a family farm, and when the weather is nice, we spend the afternoon in creating scavengar hunts around the property. My parents have created fun ways for the kids and adults to enjoy the day, and many of their ideas grew into traditions. We always end up having a great day.

But it's the beginning that's rough. Getting to and from church. "Fitting in" worship. Rush, rush, rush. Not this year. When my sister mentioned (once again) the schedule revolving around me, I reminded her that we wouldn't even be celebrating Easter as a family if it weren't for Jesus Christ, so my priority was unhesitatantly and unashamedly going to be worship first. Yet as I spoke those words, God challenged me, "Is worship really your priority, Susan?" Ouch. Of course, my intention in going to Easter worship services has been to worship, but what's my heartitude been when I can barely slow down enough to sit still? Or I sit like a spectator, expecting to be entertained? Or I'm critical of a song choice, video clip, or message length?

Okay, God, I get the point. So our family talked, and we're making worship a priority this year. We're going to a different worship service at a different church to help jolt us out of our routine rut. We'll have time together before and after worship to prepare and savor. To savor Jesus' sacrifice and triumphant resurrection. To savor God's sacrifice.

God created time, so I don't need to rush. God gave me Jesus, so I don't need to die. The least I can do is live for him. I'm choosing to savor the sacrifice.

So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. - Luke 24:52 (NLT)

Size Matters

Right after Christmas, I went shopping for a new pair of jeans. I love to shop at a specific shop in the mall, where sizes are consistent. I loathe trying on clothes, so I like that I can easily look through the sales racks, pick out what I need in my size, and check out with little trauma...or so I thought.

I found jeans I liked, and I also found a couple shirts, but I need to try them on because I wasn't sure if the shirts would look right layered on me. So I went ahead and tried on the jeans, too. My size. But to my horror, they did NOT fit! I thought about buying them anyway. After all, it was probably just my extra 5 pounds from Christmas goodies, but then again, we vacationed over Christmas, and I actually ate fairly healthy, AND I worked out every day. But I didn't want the pressure. I thought about trying one size bigger, but that thought quickly flew out of my head. I didn't want the reality check. So I bought nothing.

Two weeks ago by daughter and I went dress shopping. She found a dress she adored but it wasn't in her size. So she had to choose between a dress one size too big or one size too small. She went with the smaller size, and it fit perfectly. The dress was "the" dress, and with the added benefit of having a smaller size on the tag, she was thrilled!

Why is that small piece of fabric with a number on it so important to us? If we're wearing clothes that complement our bodies and are comfortable to us, what difference does it make what that tag says? Next time you go shopping, buy what fits well and looks great, and then go home and cut out those tags!

Clothe yourself with slendor and majesty. - Psalm 45:3
Clothe yourself with strength. - Isaiah 52:1
Clothe youselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 13:14
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. - Colossians 3:12