Pass the parcel

Pass the parcel
by Karen Collum

When my son turned two we had a small party with a few of his friends. One of the party games we played is called ‘Pass the Parcel’.

In the game, the children sit in a circle and pass around a wrapped parcel while music plays. When the music stops, the child who is holding the parcel gets to unwrap one layer of paper and see what they find. The music starts again and the game continues.

There are many layers to the parcel and each layer removed reveals a small trinket or chocolate. Finally, when the parcel has been unwrapped, one person reveals a more substantial prize and is declared ‘the winner’.

Hidden beneath layers of recycled newspaper is something of value. It is not until the paper is gone that the true prize is revealed.

In life’s most difficult circumstances, it’s sometimes hard to keep believing there is something of great value buried beneath – especially when all we see around us is old newspaper. Hold on to this thought:

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely.
Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
James 1:2-4 (TM)

TODAY! Thank God for the trials that remove the old layers from your life – you are a step closer to finding the treasure beneath!