Last night was homework night in our house. My youngest had a series of things she could choose from and as one, she chose to send a card to someone that she was thankful for at her school. She said, ‘my teacher won’t know it, but I’m going to send more than one. I’m thankful for a lot of people.’ Bless her heart, she had to give them all to her teacher.
She sat there for a good forty five minutes with her cast of colored markers sharing her heart on construction paper, using her best attempt at spelling. I love that she so carefully thought out what she wanted to say. She shared things like you make me smile, you are nice, you help me be a better mathematician, you keep us safe. She wanted each person to know how grateful she was for them and why.
How I loved hearing her talk about her gratitude. How I loved that her teachers offered that as a creative homework option. It’s really the simplest things that can really fill us up. I hope those recipients of the colorful construction paper and eight year old scratched sentiments found their cups a little more full after receiving them.
Gratitude is something that I *try* to be very intentional with. Some days I fall short and the world eats me up and tries to steal my joy by filling my head with what I have lost or what circumstance I may be faced with. And some days, it’s successful. But, when I can take the time to stop and breathe and look up to the vast sky above me, I can clear the noise and it’s a little easier to block out those things trying to steal my peace. I can give thanks for even the troubles.
I know the suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character, hope.(Romans 5:3-4)
My Grandpa Herschel used to recite a simple prayer of thanksgiving every morning, things like, Today, I’m thankful for the salt to season my food with, eyes to see with, and so on. With that type of gratitude, it doesn’t take long for my cup to feel a little less empty.
