AN EXPLODED UNICORN OR .... THE TREASURE OF BEING A CHILD OF GOD

The whole table was covered with glitter and gold foil, and I had to laugh properly. It looked as if a unicorn had exploded. Yes, we are at a Girls4Christ Day in Tübingen. It was June 30, 2019, and none of us was void of color anymore. "I have glitter in every pore", a girl laughed and we all agreed.
All were busily designing their own treasure chest because I had said I would present biblical knowledge that we should treasure in our hearts.
At the last Girls4Christ meeting a few weeks ago, the girls had wanted the theme of "Being God's child - what does that mean?" And, according to the weather forecast, which promised us 40°C, I had been wondering how to make this topic as entertaining and refreshing as possible. So I came up with the idea of the treasure chest and a pearl necklace. I told them about 13 aspects that make us God’s children, symbolized by different beads on a chain:
1. A round pearl with a heart painted on it: That we are loved with eternal love - something we should never forget (Jer 31: 3)
2. A small rose pearl as a symbol that God desired and created us
3. A marbled, jagged pearl to remind us that we are unique and wonderfully made
4. A golden pearl as a reminder that we - man or woman - are created to the image of God
5. A butterfly bead that glows at night - as a reminder that God is our helper in distress and a light in the night when we are not feeling well
6. Ten copper-colored pearls - a symbol that God our Father did not leave us disoriented but gave us the Ten Commandments as a guide
7. A golden pearl - a reminder of the golden rule of Jesus in Matthew that we should love others as ourselves and treat them as we ourselves want to be treated
8. A little bell, symbol of the Holy Spirit who admonishes and reminds us and wants to be our comforter and companion
9. Seven Pearls, which the girls are allowed to choose from a box of pearls in different colors, as a symbol that we all have a free will and the opportunity to decide for ourselves. Because God does not want puppets - thank God!
10. A heart bead - as a reminder that Jesus gave the ultimate love service on the cross for us
11. A shell-pearl reminiscent of the Bible verse which tells us that God throws our sins into the deepest ocean. And that he has forgiven us, if we repent - whether we can forgive ourselves has nothing to do with it
12. A big rose pearl as a reminder that we have a lifetime of growth in which we can learn from our mistakes
13. A big, shiny, blue pearl as an indication that what's happening on Earth is not everything that awaits us. But that we will once stand together with Jesus on the sea of ​​glass in heaven. We will move into our heavenly apartments, designed by Jesus personally, and be eternally happy with Him.
I then asked the girls to repeat to me what they had learned with the pearls. I must say, I was speechless, because the meaning of each pearl was repeated verbatim, it had settled in their hearts. I could not believe it - my entire mini talk had remained in their heads, despite 40 °C. Only God can do that!
After the topic it was time to bake pizzas, and every girl created her own, choosing from various delicious toppings. With the finished pizzas, the group marched to the nearby creek Steinlach, where they ate, splashed in the water and laughed a lot. Some girls used the time to rest from the heat, others chatted or made friends. The day was over too soon and at 16:00 o'clock it was time to say goodbye until next time after the usual feedback session.
On the way home I talked to one of the girls from a secular home. She told me how awesome it was and that the next time she would like to have such a creative theme again so that she could remember everything well. I frowned in my thoughts, because: the next desired topic was "Why do we as Adventists not eat and drink pork and alcohol?" I imagined a pig and a beer bottle on a chain and had to laugh heartily. Let's see how God inspires the next topic. I'm curious.
Jasmin Stanoschefsky, Women’s Ministries Leader, Baden-Württemberg Conference Photos: Jasmin Stanoschefsky