So thankful

Last year I read Noel Piper's Treasuring God in our Traditions, and absolutely loved many of her ideas.  She had such wisdom to impart on being intentional with your kids and the traditions your family has around the holidays as well as the every day.  One of her ideas was a "thankful tree," which we adapted in the Brooks household this year. 

 

Now I know this is the envy of every Martha Stewart decorator out there, but it works for us.  To begin, we went on a treasure hunt (in our backyard) for some great sticks to build our tree.  The boys loved hunting for sticks!  Since then each day, during our Bible time we have talked about what we can thank God for.  Many days I have asked them leading questions, like "what is your favorite toy you can thank God for?" or "what is your favorite dinner?" or "who do you love that you are thankful for?".  Then we write them on a leaf and put them on our tree. 

Here's a list of my personal favorite leaves on our thankful tree...

• my firetruck and its batteries
• Nona J is feeling better (this was listed only once, although mentioned nearly every day after her surgery)
• my tools
• chocolate milk
• Baby Titus
• Isaac & Luke (their best friends from church, this was the other thing named nearly every day)
• Tux
• Chick-fil-a, ketchup, and french fries (they got very specific with this one)

I loved doing this activity each day, and served all of us with a great reminder of all our many blessings and ultimately the Giver of all good gifts!

 

I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart!  Psalm 138:1a

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!