This month, my girls and I tried a new gratitude practice; each day we picked one thing and we focused on that one thing that we were grateful for: we all at one point picked God and each member of our family. Other items ranged from the beautiful (St. Dunstan’s, God’s creation, etc.) to the ordinary (being on time for school) to the silly (that we were playing a game in the car on the way to school). My girls, like all of your children, have truly beautiful hearts. One of the ways to foster gratitude (in all ages) are fun challenges like this and another is to read books together. This month, I want to recommend a book for all ages. 

In October, I attended a clergy conference where it was recommended that children’s books be used for all ages. Now, there are several books on gratitude for children. I have two to recommend to read for family gatherings:

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli. What I loved about the book is that it is not full of history or dynamics. It focuses on the simple act of gratitude. It focuses on the world around us and the many ways we can be thankful in our lives. This would be an excellent book to read with family while preparing for a thanksgiving meal before discussing our blessings.

The next book is a children’s book. It is one that helps me remember the focus on what is needed in families. Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, however, getting together can sometimes bring about arguments. This book reminds me, as a fully grown adult, to listen.

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld is about a child who is upset. There are many friends who spent time with the child. After a year or two apart, we have all been through a trauma. This is an important book to remind us that the most important thing we can be to each other is kind.

So, this Thanksgiving, my prayer for you is to find much for which you are grateful, to spend time with loved ones, enjoy good food, and of course to show each other Christ’s love. I am going to close with the General Thanksgiving.

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

I am grateful for all of you.

For His Sake,

Deacon Beth Anne Nelson