Remember the Blessings

With the close of the autumn season comes Thanksgiving. A time of giving and pondering what we have been given. Before it is here and gone, I wanted to suggest a couple of ways that you and your family can begin reflecting on the many blessings you have received over the last year.

The first idea is to keep a tablet of paper and a pen or pencil handy in the kitchen. A magnetic pad of paper would be great on the refrigerator. You'll be less likely to misplace it. Anytime a family member gets into the fridge or even just goes into the kitchen, have them write down something they are thankful for. It may seem hard at first to think of something. Likely, though, that whatever they were after in the kitchen, they are thankful for it. Have them write it down. Even if you send them in to do the dishes. Hooray for the dishwasher! Mom, perhaps they are your dishwasher. You can write that down. You can also encourage thankful thoughts by writing what you are thankful for prior to putting the tablet on the fridge. List each of your family members by name. Are you thankful for your job? Are you blessed to be at home? Are you thankful for pets, a teacher, friends or your freedoms?

Once the list begins to grow, I hope you will be surprised at how much we really do have to be thankful for. Add to the list over these next few days. Before serving up the Thanksgiving meal take time together as a family and read the list out loud. Remember the Blessings!

Another suggestion for pondering what your family has to be thankful for requires kernals of corn. If you have an ear of Indian corn you've been using to decorate with then plan to pass it and a small bowl or basket around the table during your Thanksgiving meal. When the corn is passed, each person takes off a kernal to put into the basket and share what they are thankful for. As the kernals begin to cover the bottom of the basket, families are reminded there is so much to be thankful for. This idea can be a great conversation starter. If you do not have an ear of corn then you can substitute popcorn kernals. Place 3 or 4 at each place setting prior to dinner. As the basket comes around...Remember the Blessings!