Thankful(ness) - Lisa Clark

Each fall I get the “thankful(ness)” bug! You know, “let’s all start getting thankful ‘round here, okay?” Fall means pumpkins, good food, family, celebrations and thankfulness.  It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!!

When the girls were little, we’d have Thankfulness Jars and they would contribute their posts to the jar everyday. It was a tradition to read what each family member was thankful for the evening before Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving Eve, I guess.  Everyone would pull a slip of paper from the jar and read it and then the writer would proclaim, “That’s mine!” It kept us focused on the season and what was really important.

Having a thankful heart changes everything.  It takes the focus off self and puts the focus on ALL we have to be thankful for.  If you have a child that seems to see the glass half empty, this exercise in thankfulness will really help them refocus and be aware of their less than thankful attitude. 

There are many things families can do during this time of year to stay thankful and “others” focused.  Here are some ideas:

            Organize a canned food drive in the neighborhood

            Volunteer at a food bank or kitchen for the homeless

            Clean out closets and take excess to a shelter or a family in need

            Memorize scripture using thankful, thanksgiving, thanks, etc.

            Write letters to family members blessing them and thanking them

            Random acts of kindness in your neighborhood or school

            Serve at church, school or home

           

Start a new tradition this year and have a “30 Days of Thanksgiving!”  Be intentional and stick with it! Getting all family members involved in projects like this encourage unity and harmony within the family unit.  Also, allow each family member to contribute a dish during the Thanksgiving meal.  Ask them their favorite, then let them prepare that particular dish.  Happy Thankful(ness) Month!!!