Theme discussion
Today we are celebrating Thanksgiving! We folks here at BCUC sure have many things to be thankful for, don’t we? Strange as it may seem though, when things are going well in our lives, we often forget to give thanks. Thanksgiving is a day to remind us of all the wonderful things that are in our lives.
The story we read in the Time for the Young at Heart today, “The Secret of Saying Thanks” reminds us that we are surrounded by many things to be thankful for every day – in nature, and in the people who love us – things we often take for granted. It’s a reminder to look for those things that make us feel comfortable and loved and happy.
The ‘secret’ that this story shares with us is this:
“The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time… We don’t give thanks because we’re happy. We are happy because we give thanks.”
How can you use this secret to make you feel happy, even when you’re having a hard day?
The examples given in the book don’t talk about new toys, or nice clothes, or big parties. They are things that are around us every single day: sunshine, flowers and trees, rocks and hills, birds and animals, the moon and stars, the people who love us…
Today when you celebrate the things you are thankful for, take a look around you at the wonderful things that are there for you every day. Take a moment to say “thank you” to those things. This is what makes Thanksgiving Day special. It reminds us of the secret:
“We don’t give thanks because we’re happy. We are happy because we give thanks.”
Response Activity Ideas
Thankful Yoga
This activity from kidsyogastories.com matches up key lines from the story “The Secret of Saying Thanks” to a yoga pose. Read the ‘story line’ in the first column, then try the pose described and illustrated in the other two columns. Breathe deeply and focus your mind on being grateful for God’s gifts and the sense of happiness these thoughts bring.
Click to print PDF (5 pages)
Daily Gratitude
Does your family have a special time each day to practice an attitude of gratitude? Some people do this around the dinner table, others before bed. Today, make a plan to build a time for gratitude into your family’s routine. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it’s great to have a plan or routine so you can keep it up!
Some ideas:
Hang a white board in a prominent place and encourage each family member to write down something they’re thankful for sometime during the day. Read them together before bedtime!
Good, Great, Wow! - When you’re getting tucked into bed, think of something good, something great, and something fantastic (wow!) that happened that day. Grown-ups could share, too! This helps keep looking for the positives even on not-so-great days.
As a table grace before dinner, have everyone contribute something they feel grateful for that day.
Gratitude journal - Get a little notebook for each member of the family (or one shared book), and make a plan to pause for 5 minutes together each day and record 3 things you’re thankful for.
Gratitude Tree Craft
Check out this brief video and make your own tree for Thanksgiving.
Materials: small branch, vase, construction paper, scissors, writing tools, hole punch, string (alternatively, use real leaves that aren’t too dry and brittle, and write on them with Sharpies)