During the children's sermon on Sunday morning, our Director of Education gave the children each one of those little bamboo finger traps. As they sat there, trying to get their fingers out of their little cages, the Education Director was talking to them about the importance of slowing down. Of stopping what you are doing and listening to what God has to say to you, and paying attention. She mentioned that if you slow down, and stop struggling, you will be released from the traps of this world.
The two little kids sitting on her left immediately quieted down, and pushed their hands together, releasing themselves from the traps.
The two on her right took a more innovative approach. They quickly turned their fingers in opposite directions, ripping the bamboo apart in the middle. Then they quickly pulled the shreds of the bamboo from their fingers, throwing the remains on the floor.
She compared the two methods of getting out of the finger traps, and commented on how the kids on her left had gotten out of their difficulties without leaving any mess behind.
She then pointed at the pile of trash left on the floor by the kids who had pulled their traps apart.
"You got out of the trap, but you left a big mess on the floor."
"That's what the trash can is for" replied one of the boys.
And you know, that's a pretty good metaphor for life. Sometimes, life requires you to get messy to get through or out of a situation. But once you get out of that mess, you will be able to clean up the pieces and move on.
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