As a Homeschool Mom, I am always trying to come up with ways of teaching the children simple ways to show their appreciation. Whether it be to the Lord, to the Pastor, their Church, their town.I always want them to be Thankful to the Lord and to others for what they have been given. I just never know if I have reached them. Today though was different.
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I decided to create a 'Thankful Tree'. I have done this in the past but never with Deborah (8) and Matthew (7)so this was a new experience for them. I wasn't too sure what they would understand or whether they would enjoy it. I might also mention that my 17 and 16 yr old girls and 11 yr old son were also participating.
After I made the tree and attached it's branches, I brought all the children into the kitchen. I explained what we were doing and that the tree was a symbol of our Thankfulness. Since I am pretty sure that the older three understood the concept, I turned my questions to Deborah and Matthew. I have to say, I was surprised by the answers these two children gave me when I asked them if they knew what it meant to be Thankful.
Matthew was the first to respond. He explained to me in his rambling way that being thankful meant "Giving God your Thanks for everything he did for you". I was completely stunned. With Matthew's 'problems', I am just never sure what is going to come out of his little mouth.What an awesome answer that was. My heart was and is overwhelmed by his complete understanding of
Giving Thanks. When it was time to give me his answer, it was simple but it was sincere. Matthew is thankful for having a family. For him, that said it all.
It was Deborahs turn to answer the question, 'What are you Thankful for?' Honestly, I was expecting her to repeat what Matthew had said. To my surprise, again, my daughter gave me an answer that I never expected. Deborah looked at me and said "I am Thankful that God gave me the family he did. I am Thankful that God picked the right Mom and Dad just for me. I am Thankful that God let me grow in Mom and Dad's Heart."
Pull out the Kleenex box! My heart leaped out of my chest and exploded with Joy. This wasn't the answer of a child that was Thankful for Toys, Clothes or Food. She was Thankful for God choosing Craig and I to be here parents. For creating and choosing her 'Forever Family'. It was just so simple for her. There was no hesitation. No stairing off into the distance to come up with an answer. She knew what she was Thankful for and she said it. How awesome is that?
As we completed our Thankful Tree we stood back and looked at it. I wasn't looking at a paper tree anymore. I no longer saw Handprints cut out to represent leaves or the tape on the wall to hold that tree up. What I saw was the most perfect peace of art. Made with Love and Understanding of everything that God has given me.
I never did have a chance to make my Thankful leaf but had I made one, it would have said this..."I am thankful for a forgiving Lord that has blessed me with a loving, patient husband that has given me more than I ever thought possible. I am thankful for the 7 children He has blessed me with and the
love and joy they bring me every day. I am thankful for all of the trials. For the bumps in the road for the quiet peaceful times. I am thankful for my life."
Let us come before Him with Thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95:2
