Hedbanz

Tonight we had another great message, one based on the board game "Hedbanz."  It was based on this devotional Daddy wrote about a month ago:

"We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 NIrV

"Hedbanz"     Who am I?  That's the question that gets asked the most when playing a game called "Hedbanz."  The game is loads of fun - each player has a plastic strap on his or her head, and in that strap goes a card with a picture on it.  If it's a picture of a banana - that player is a banana.  If it is the Little Mermaid, then that player is the Little Mermaid.  Here's the catch though:  that player wearing the card has no idea who they are.  All the other players can see the card except the one actually wearing it!      It's a fun and sometimes hilarious game as players race to figure out who it is exactly they are.  But when the game is done, there may be a lingering question asked:  who am I, for real?  Fortunately, the answers are easy to find, scattered all throughout the Bible.     Here's just a few things you can say about yourself, all found in scripture.  John 1:12 tells us "I am God's child."  John 15:15 tells us "I am Christ's friend."  1 Corinthians 12:27 tells us "I am a member of Christ's Body."  Ephesians 1:3 says "I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing."  1 John 5:18 says "I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me."  Matthew 5:13-14 says "I am salt and light of the earth."  John 6:47 says, "I am promised eternal life."  1 John 5:4 says "I am victorious."  Romans 8:37 says "I am more than a conqueror."  Philippians 4:13 says "I am not helpless."  Colossians 1:13 says "I am delivered."  And 1 Peter 1:23 says "I am born again."     The list goes on an on, and when we become a part of God's family, there's an easy answer to the question "Who am I?"  No, you're not a banana.  You're a child of the living God!

The day was a nice one, mainly because the rain stopped for just a moment.  Daddy didn't get to see Madison so much today, mainly because of work.  There were a few moments though, and those are precious as always.  Mommy and Madison went to ballet again, and it's been great because we have such encouragement from the last visit with ballet where we could watch her dance.  Her poise and grace are simply marvelous to behold, but that's all from a parent's perspective.

This morning, we did our usual trip to the school as always, waiting in traffic, dropping Madison off at school.  We tell stories, talk about what's to come, and generally goof off as we wait in line.  Each morning, the four p's are still the rule - prayer, packing, picture and a trip to the bathroom.  But the other rule involves more goofing off:  Daddy walks down the stairs loud enough that Madison knows he's coming.  And then... she hides.  Daddy says out loud, "Where is Madison?"  He looks around a bit, and then "BOO!"  Madison jumps out from her hiding place.  This all happens every single morning, a part of our little routine.  And that was the biggest part of the day with Madison for Daddy today, although Mommy spent a good deal of time with her with ballet, and then dealing with piano practice for the big recital.  Also, there was homework, where Madison has been spending time learning about Susan B. Anthony, and how to spell "suffragette."  Susan B. Anthony was arrested for voting, if you can imagine that.  And fined too!  She never paid the fine, and never saw the day that women could vote.  It is hard to imagine what it was like before the 19th Amendment.  Fortunately, everyone realized who women were, just the same as men.  Which brings us to our 'Hedbanz' topic again, about self-worth and knowing who you really are.  As we close up, here's the latest worksheet Daddy made up in a hurry, one we used tonight at KidPak...