10/26/07

A Very Pumpkin Day!

Confidence is beautiful when you realize that you are who God made you to be. That you are created in His image, that you are of value, and that you are worth a lot!

This is what we based our Balcony Girls lesson on today.


It was a rich day, vibrant in color (as you can see) with crisp cold air, when my girls and me showed up (with pumpkins in hand) at Jeannie and Minor’s beautiful home, where the apple cider was on the stove and the hot apple crisp in the oven.

My girls learned a first hand lesson – with a $10 bill.

After showing these girls this clean, stiff $10 bill, and asking if they’d like to have it, each girl’s hand went up in the air. Then the lesson began. I scrunched it up into a little ball (as their eyes got big!), and then reopened it. I pointed out that even though the money was scrunched up, the value stayed the same.

Then I stomped on it, walked on it, jumped on it. We all agreed – it was still worth $10.

The example continued as I wadded it up into a ball again and asked each girl to imagine herself as the money – then I threw it to each one saying, “others are gossiping about you,” “bullying you,” “spreading rumors about you,” “leaving you out,” “ snickering,” … “glaring at you.”

Each time one girl would throw the wadded $10 bill back to me, I would open it up and we’d all agree that the value remained the same.

When we feel we are worthless, or come up against a mean girl who does mean things, our confidence is shaken.


But our value always stays the same. God loves us no matter what, and our value to Him never changes.

It was a precious time as Jeannie chimed in and shared some insights with us. We continued to talk about how others can be jealous of our confidence, what over-confidence looks like, and even what happens when you lose confidence.

The hands were flying in the air. Each girl had a story or two to tell – they could all relate to our subject today.

As Jeannie shared with the Balcony Girls (another way for the hesitant reluctant entertainer to have fun with kids!), she also set up a craft for the girls in her garage.

We each decorated our own pumpkin and filled it with fresh dirt and pansies. Jeannie’s husband, Minor, helped out even to the very end, when he followed us home in his red truck and delivered the pumpkins to each house.

As I drove away, I thought to myself, “Balcony Girls come in all ages,” thinking of my friend Jeannie and how she has enriched my life for 25 years. Not only is she an affirmer in my life, she loves the younger generations as well. Loving others and giving your life away – more secrets of a Balcony Girl.

Yes, it was a very pumpkin day.

A great pumpkin day!

(For more inspiration, read Goodness Grows post here. And it was Thursday Night, with another great Hoppi blessing. You can read about it here.)

(One of the BG's won the $10 bill at the end of lesson, otherwise you can use a $50 or $100 bill for more impact!)

24 comments:

linda t said...

Oh Sandy, what a powerful, beautiful illustration!
We all need to be reminded of our value, worth and significance to Him... and to each other.
The world all around us can quickly tear us down... how soon we forget that we matter... to someone.
Love this post!

tammi said...

What a wonderful way to illustrate something so simple but so difficult to grasp. Thanks so much for sharing another Balcony Girls instalment! I really look forward to these!!

tammi said...

Oh, and I was going to say, too, that I think using pumpkins as planters is a very crafty idea!! Those look beautiful!

mamashine said...

I want to be a balcony girl. What a great idea to make a point! I love it.

Elizabeth in Wisconsin said...

Beautiful girls, beautiful moms, beautiful presentation! (Adorable pumpkins!)

Mrs. Darling said...

Your pears a few posts below look lovely. I do enjoy your blog. Thanks for bringing my attention to it.

Anonymous said...

I read your Balcony Girls entries with deep interest as I have a very girlie-girlie female six year old that keeps me on my toes. I know she will most likely need a group such as what you have in the very near future. I was wondering if you personally invent the days' adventures and lessons or do you have a source book that inspires (of course, the Bible does) you? I sure would like to get my hands on it if you do.
Many Blessings,
Holly

Sandy said...

Hi Holly - I do personally invent the days' adventures for Balcony Girls and I hope to have my journey compiled in an upcoming book. Stay tuned ...
Thanks for visiting me!

G. said...

I just found your blog via a friends site and I absolutely love it, it's very encouraging and fun to read! Thanks for sharing.

Nunnie's Attic said...

Am I too old to be a Balcony Girl??

That is a wonderful illustration of God's enduring love.

Love,
Julie

Tarrah said...

Thank you Sandy for sharing with us all that you do with the Balcony girls. I have been reading your blog now for a while and absolutely LOVE it. You are very encouraging and you have some great ideas and recipes.

I have a 3 yo girl and the balcony girls is just such a great way to show God's love and give them encouragment in such a harsh world.
Thank you

OKGardners said...

What an invaluable lesson for these girls (and adults) - We ARE all valuable in God's sight ... no matter what.

Thanks for nurturing these young girls. They will be forever touched by these lessons.

Betty in Oklahoma

a woman who is said...

You are an amazing woman. I love your parenting style and the way you share your life with so many. Who mentored you?

Andrea said...

Oh I would love your "Balcony Girls" book..I have three daughters and I would *love* to do something like this with them and some of their friends. I am looking forward to it.

Donnetta said...

What a FABULOUS lesson! I'd like to be able to use this with our youth group, if you don't mind. ;-)

And what a wonderfully creative and beautiful idea to do with the pumpkin! I have never heard or seen that before!

Thanks for continuing to encourage, inspire and bless with each post!

Justabeachkat said...

Wow...the photos are all wonderful. Beautiful girls, beautiful background with the fall leaves, etc., a beautiful sweet lesson, and a beautiful YOU.

Hugs!
Kat

Julie said...

Our pastor used that identical illustration...only with a $50 bill...which really got everyone's attention.

And I LOVE the pumpkins filled with flowers. So cute!

Given Grace said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog...its always great to meet new friends and find great new blogs.

It looks like your site is one I will want to visit often. Sounds like your Balcony Girls is a great group!

The pumpkin planters are adorable!

Nadine said...

Wow Sandy. That's a great way to show young girls how much they are valued and how that doesn't change regardless of circumstances.

GiBee said...

That's a great lesson... The pumpkins turned out very nicely!

Distant Timbers Echo said...

This is such a good post. My daughter is six and is going through this right now with a mean girl at school!

Thank you so much.

Laura said...

What a beautiful fall day! I love the picture of all of you in the truck and of course you in your apron! I absolutely adore aprons!

Laura

Darla said...

When you publish your Balcony Girl's book I'll be standing in line to buy it.

I'm Nana to a 10 yr old and a BIG fan of the Balcony Girls stories and think you are inspiring.

Darla

Anonymous said...

Wonderful lesson Sandy. These girls are so blessed to be learning from you :)