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Our lives – a pile of fragments?

Or: what damage fragments can do...

Two closed boxes are passed along the row. Everyone should think about what could be hidden in the box. The children are now allowed to guess the contents of the box. The box is opened. The different coloured and different types of fragments are placed in the middle.

I cause fragmentation through:

my ego which does not allow me to open up to others;
through jealousy which breaks up relationships;
through my sharp tongue which hurts others;
through my intolerance which rejects »being different«.

Fragments have caused me to be hurt:

because I have been disappointed by people close to me;
because I have buried broken things away deep inside and have not tried to deal with them.

(Silence)

(Song: Lord, have mercy on us)

Reading: Isaiah 30, 12-14

Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coals from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern."

Thoughts

I am often so busy with my own problems and self pity and I feel sorry for myself!

I complain to God and moan to him about how terrible things are.

In doing this, I overlook all of the people who might really have a reason to complain.

Dear God, pull me out of my self pity. Give me eyes to see the good and beautiful things in my own life. I am very clever! I have lots of friends, I can afford almost everything, I have good results in school and I don’t look too bad. I am welcome wherever I go and could be very satisfied in my life. But something does not fit.

Someone said to me recently: »You can thank God that you are well! Thank God (?), I thought, what has he got to do with it?

The question of God did not leave me! I noticed that he should have a fixed place in my life and that nothing should be taken for granted.

I have fallen out with my parents! They found out that I forgot to do my maths homework again. There was major trouble at first! – My parents only speak with me if necessary. My grandma says that I should say sorry but it is not so easy to admit to a mistake.

(Song: Lord, give us your peace)

Prayer:

God, nothing is impossible for you. With your power you can blast the thickest wall! Every fragment, whether large or small, whether thick or thin, is valuable to you. You can heal all injuries and wounds – whatever form they take. Through your son, Jesus, you have bridged the gap between yourself and the people and have promised us your healing closeness. We can therefore ask you for forgiveness every day. Amen.

(Our father – thanksgiving prayer – closing blessing.)

(Song: »When someone says I like you«)

(Author: parish pastor Andreas Steinhauser (www.kj-wen.de), permission granted for use by www.praxis-jugendarbeit.de in April 2004)