Lessons from a Donut

Monday evening was the last devotional "break-out" session with the students from the drama ministry I volunteer in at church. (from now until the show, they will just be rehearsing) I had 5th graders this semester and what fun they were!  My youngest daughter is in 5th grade and at first was not thrilled that I was the leader of her group.  But...she quickly got over that and had fun and learned alot.  The sessions are just 15 minutes after a 45 minute music rehearsal.  The kids usually hear a portion of Scripture or a verse and we play 1 or 2 games/activities that go along with the main point.  Sometimes I link it to being in the show. 

This week's topic was patience.

The Scripture we used was from Romans 12:12 which states "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

I talked about how they need to have patience while waiting for their cues backstage.  Patience is needed while on the risers and actors/dancers are performing. The director expects them to be perfectly still and for some children that is tough! We talked about the importance of listening to the director, being patient, and understanding that really, they are performing for God and to plant seeds in the hearts of unbelievers.

The thing that got them charged, though, was the game.  

It was the Donut Dangler game.

6 of the students lined up on one side of a paper plate I had placed on the floor.  A donut tied with string was on the plate.

6 more students were kneeling on the floor as well, on the other side of the plate, facing the first 6.  So, there were 2 kids per plate.

On my count, the "donut dangler" kid had to pick up the donut by the string and dangle it so the other child could eat it with no hands touching the donut. 

This took patience!  Especially if the child really liked the donut!

After 2 minutes of trying to eat the donut with no hands and with it dangling in front of them, I stopped them and they switched roles.  Fresh donuts were placed on the plate and the child who had just eaten a donut became the donut dangler.  They had so much fun with this!! (many of them had also played it last year, too!)

 

Here is my youngest, Claire, in the red shirt,

trying to eat that donut!

Her "donut dangler" is friend Rebekah

(her mom gave me permission to post the pic...

sorry you can't see her face... she was doing her job!)

I ran out of time to reiterate that sometimes things are dangled in front of us...maybe it is an exciting vacation, or a new toy to be earned, or a playdate to go on, etc.  For us older folks, maybe it is that vacation, or new car, or a raise at work, or promotion, or restoring a friendship, or getting married, etc. etc.  Many things are "dangled" in front of us and we sometimes need much patience.  We especially need patience if we are praying about something and God answers us by saying "Wait". I know I have experienced plenty of that kind of thing since mid-autumn.  I am waiting on the Lord for something specific and wow......I am really learning about this fruit of the Spirit.  Being patient is sometimes so hard...I wish God would just hurry up! ☺

That verse from Romans also talks about being patient in affliction. To me, this means hard times. (it could also mean physical illness, etc.).  I am waiting for something that only the Lord can do, ultimately.  I have had to place something in the Lord's hands and leave it there. It is a little bit of a hard time for me.  I am missing something/someone terribly but....the Lord is telling me to wait.  To be patient.  He is taking care of the details most likely.  He has good plans for me and He loves and cares for me.  His promises are true!!  The thing is dangling in front of me....and I have to be patient.  

When the time is right, I can partake...just like these 5th graders could partake of their donut at the end of their 2 minutes of effort.

It's worth waiting for.