We were in the midst of conducting a series with our senior high youth on “daily gifts from God.” I was racking my brain on the wonderful gifts God lays before us each and everyday. I was also struck by how much we take these daily gifts for granted.
      That was when the idea hit me.
      I called a church member who owns a tree removal service. He drove his bucket truck to youth group on Sunday night. We positioned the truck in the far corner of the parking lot, away from people and possessions. A collection of items were loaded into the bucket. The lift raised the bucket to about 90 feet off the ground. A huge blue tarp was placed on the parking lot underneath the bucket.
      On signal the items were dropped one at a time onto the tarp. These items included some ceramic bunnies, light bulbs, a radio, eggs, water balloons, 2 liter bottles of coke, a small TV, and two old computer monitors. The TV made the loudest sound. The cokes hit the ground and shot off like rockets. The monitors imploded with the hard plastic casing for the most part, still intact.
      This visual aid was to remind us of God’s gift of gravity. As with many of God’s gifts, gravity is one with which we are very casual. Our world and our way of life would not exist without gravity. This gentle pull keeps our feet firmly planted on God’s great earth.
      The discussion that followed touched my heart. We opened the floor for more discussion. I asked them to share about other gifts from God that we often times take for granted. The senior highs shared from their own lives. One shared of our physical health. Several in our group had ill family members. We asked them to update us. As each one shared the tears began to flow.
      Another shared of the freedom we each enjoy. This freedom comes as a gift from being in the United States. One of our adult counselors lost her husband in the battle to maintain this freedom. Another of our youth has a dad who is awaiting trial and has tried to maintain contact with him in the midst of the prison institution.
      We are also free to accept or reject God’s gift of love. In these days of Easter we often rush past the cross to celebrate the empty tomb. God’s gift of love was best expressed in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. While the gift of love is for all, many choose to walk right past it.
      Others talked of time and how easy it is to waste it away. Others shared of God’s gift of friendship with other Christians. Still another shared of offering this friendship to all, regardless of their faith.
      “Gravity night” was hit, in more ways than one. In the midst of our broken objects and mess, tears were shed. God’s gift of love and life crept into the lives of some pretty jaded youth. In this season of Easter joy, may we find God’s precious gifts surrounding us each and everyday.

Enjoy.
Rob