More than a Statistic

One in Three...
If you’re anything like me, you’re not a fan of statistics.  The word itself sends chills down my spine as I remember sitting in Mr. Zavonar’s seventh grade science class where the study of genetics was introduced by first having us look at statistics.  Genetics and statistics- all at once?!  It’s a wonder I don’t automatically fall into the fetal position at the very sight of any word containing “tic!”  (God forbid that I couldn’t enjoy Tic-Tacs!) 

Besides the bad memories, the reason I dislike statistics is that I’m always skeptical at their accuracy.  Growing up hearing “one in three dentists recommend Crest” or “one in three moms use Tide” always made me wonder who they really asked.  They never asked my mom, but she used Cheer anyway. 

A few statistics floating around these days include things that aren’t very uplifting or encouraging.  One in three children are obese, one in three teens will try drugs in high school, and one in three people living in urban environments live below the poverty line.  (If you didn’t dislike statistics before, you certainly should now!)

By this point of the blog, you get the idea…and, if I’ve done it right, the phrase “one in three” is firmly planted in your brain.  That was the objective! 

Two weeks ago as we wrapped up our “It’s a Mystery” Series, this was the phrase I wanted firmly planted in the minds and hearts of our kids.  Why?  Because that is the Trinity.  One God, Three Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) - still one God.  Trying to explain the Trinity is almost as hard as truly understanding it, but God is always faithful to speak Truth to us- despite our very human attempts at doing that Truth justice.   Through the use of three forms of water (liquid, solid, and gas) and candy corn, the kids grabbed onto the concept of One in Three/Three in One. 

It’s my prayer that our children will have a very different idea of that statistical “one in three” phrase as they grow up.  I pray that they won’t attach it to toothpaste or detergent commercials as I did, nor will they attach it to any overwhelming statistic they may read at some point later.  I pray that even in the midst of advertising and statistics, they will naturally associate that phrase with our One God Who works as Three Persons, but is still One God. 

Wouldn’t it be an amazing thing if our kids sifted all that they read, hear, or see through the Truth of Who God is?!  Maybe then the idea of statistics- or genetics- or anything remotely resembling Mr. Zavonar’s science class won’t be so overwhelming.

This Week’s Announcements:
PARK STREET TEACHER APPRECIATION
We will honor, encourage, and thank the teachers and staff at Park Street Elementary with a breakfast on Monday, December 8. To see how you can help, visit www.signupgenius.com and search under my email: penny@stonebridgemarietta.org

GIVING TREE
If you were here on Sunday you may have noticed a Christmas tree in the foyer with lots of ornaments on it. This is our "Giving Tree." There are items listed on each of the ornaments that will benefit families at Park Street Elementary, MUST Ministries, and Cobb Pregnancy Services.  Please take an ornament from the tree and purchase the item listed on the tag. Donations may be dropped off at the church and placed under the tree on or before Sunday, December 21st.  Items should not be wrapped. Please attach the tag to the item for easier distribution.

What God is Teaching Us:
This section will have links to the previous Sunday’s lessons.  Feel free (I encourage it!) to open, read, and review with your children.  Click on the links below to view our lessons from 11/16 and 11/23.
This link is no longer available

Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
Don’t you love the conversations you have at bedtime with your children?  Here is one a mom sent me recently. Child: “What if your arm got cut off?”  Mom: “I guess I'd only have one arm to hug you with.”
Continuing back and forth… What if both of your arms got cut off? Then I couldn't hug you at all! Well then your arm will grow back after a while and you can hug me.  No...arms don't grow back if they are cut off.  What?...It doesn't grow back?! No. It doesn't grow back, baby.  Ever?!  Nope...not ever. What about in Heaven? Yeah...God probably gives new arms in Heaven. 
The child thinks for a minute and ends this way: “But how does it get on there? Like with glue or something…or maybe God’s imagination?  Like He closes His eyes and imagines it and then it's there? Wait....that's teleportation.”