Don't Worry, Be Happy (Ball Bucket)

Our family is under a lot of stress. I love to be a stay-at-home mom. But the reality of life is the expense of living is going up and salaries are not increasing proportionately. So am I worried? I am human, of course, I am a little worried. BUT I know God is good all the time. So Don't Worry, Be Happy.

The following is a sermonette called "Don't Worry. Be Happy." offered to a Children's group.

Before Class: You are going to need a bucket of balls, a paper cross and some tape and then ask for a volunteer.

Presentation: Ask your volunteer to jump up and down. Comment on what a great job they did. Now ask them if they have anything they are worried about. You may need to start the list by saying, "Are you worried about getting your homework done in time to see your favorite t.v. show?" Hand the volunteer a ball and ask them to hold it. Explain that the ball represents worry. Continue to say worries and pile a bunch of balls in the volunteers hands. Allow the audience to voice some of their concerns while adding balls to your volunteers ball. If the volunteer starts to drop balls, pick them up and give them back. This is probably the time to ask the volunteer to try and jump holding onto all those balls without dropping any balls. The volunteer may be a little frustrated, so ask them, "Do you want to hold onto all these balls, all these worries? No?" Pull out the paper cross and tape it to the bucket. The Bible says in Psalm 57:22 "Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you." Now you can jump up and down and not drop one single ball. When you give your worries to Jesus, to God, everything becomes easier.

At this time you can go into Bible time and discuss Matthew 6: 26-34. Jesus told the disciples to look at the birds who never work a day, but still have plenty of food and shelter. You are more precious than the birds. Jesus told the disciples to look at the Lillie's in the field. The Lillie's do not sew on their leaves though they are dressed in the most beautiful colors. You are more precious than the Lillie's. God already knows your needs, and He will provide. Jesus said, "Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring its own troubles. Today's trouble is enough for today."

A fun visual aide is a growing paper tree. This idea came from Steve Spangler Science, http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/how-to-make-a-newspaper-tree , Jan. 2010. Supplies: newspaper, tape and scissors. Tape 5-10 sheets of paper together end to end and then roll them up. At one end cut about 4 cuts to about half way down. Lay the pieces down so it looks like you are holding a flower. Reach into the center of the "flower" and demonstrate how God amply blesses. When you pull, your flower will grow and grow until it looks like a tree. Depending on the number of sheets you use, it may be taller than you.

So Don't Worry. Be Happy. God's got this one.