Children’s Sermon

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Leaving Worries Behind

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1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Leaving Worries Behind

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Today let’s talk about snakes. I know that many people almost shudder when they think of snakes, but snakes are really remarkable creatures. Who would think that a snake has lots and lots of bones? Snakes are so graceful in the way they move that it doesn’t seem as if they have any bones in their bodies at all, but the backbone (spine) of some snakes is made up of over three hundred bones. Some have more, some less.

A fascinating thing about a snake is the way they are able to shed their skin. The skin of a snake does not grow as the snake gets bigger the way our skin grows with us. As the snake grows the skin gets tight––kind of like the way you outgrow your jeans.

When the snake’s skin gets tight the snake rubs its head against something hard, such as a rock, and the skin splits and begins to come off. A snake is then able to slip right out of its skin, cast it off and leave it behind. Some of you may have seen a discarded snake skin in a museum or lying outside on the ground.

This brings us to today’s lesson. In the Bible we find this suggestion: “cast…all your worries on him, because he cares for you” (5:7). The Bible teaches us that we can pray about things that trouble us. We are then encouraged to cast our worries away and leave them with God.

Think of how a snake slides out of its skin and leaves it behind. Don’t carry your worries around with you. After you have prayed, leave them behind and go on with your wonderful life – working and playing and enjoying our beautiful world.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2012, Richard Niell Donovan