Gratitude

So It's that time of year...

And apparently my children are now old enough at ages 4 and 2 to enjoy looking at the Target toy catalog and dreaming... Seems kind of early to me.
So hubby and I have decided that in an effort to nurture a grateful heart in our little ones, as well as ourselves, we would start a Gratitude Jar.
I wanted to instill some biblical principle to go along with our jar so in my quiet time I fell upon this verse.

My bible is an NIV so it reads...
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

For good measure, I compared it to these versions...
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18. King James

and The Message
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Wow! That's so hard... In everything, really?? Yep, that's what it says, everything.

I know it's a little above their heads to understand to give thanks in all things, even that's hard for me. But, it is something I am called to do so it's a verse we are sharing with our children. And while we are sharing it, we are also trying to live it.

I made this easy-peasey Gratitude jar to remind us daily all that we have to be grateful for and Puddin is helping us add to it daily.
It's been really good for us to look back on our day and see what we have to be grateful for and all the ways God has blessed us.I think we have a new tradition on our hands!

Maybe instead of this heralding the holiday season we will have this instead..., such a sweeter reminder of the greatest Gift of all.