The picture above contains the simple ingredients for one of our family’s traditions. We call them “Thankfulness Leaves,” mostly because I’m not very creative when it comes to titling things.
Here’s how our tradition works:
Every evening, for the five days leading up to Thanksgiving, each of us will pick a leaf and write on it one thing we’re thankful for. Then we’ll tape the leaves on our fireplace mantel and spend some time in prayer, thanking God for the many blessings He’s given us, and for the specific blessings we wrote on the leaves that night.
By the time Thanksgiving arrives, our mantel is decorated with tangible expressions of gratitude, and every pass through the family room brings a reminder of God’s provision and grace.
Sometimes the words on the leaves pinpoint something concrete and material: a favorite toy, our house. Occasionally a leaf will attempt to capture a concept no words can fully express: Christ’s sacrifice, the love of family. But always, we hope that the leaves reflect more than just a “we’re glad we have this stuff” attitude. We want to share with each other, and to cement in our own hearts, the acknowledgment that all these things, the material and the abstract, the ordinary and the profound, are gifts from God.
What do I hope our kids will remember or gain from this yearly tradition?
1. Thankfulness isn’t something we reserve for one day of the year. Though this particular exercise only lasts five days, I hope it is a reminder that gratitude is something we can and should express daily. And that “counting our blessings” is a worthwhile habit to pursue.
2. Perpsective in times of uncertainty or discouragement. Just yesterday, C. and I had some heavy conversations about divorce, economic difficulties, and despair. At age 10, though he’s buffered in many ways from those things, he knows they exist and he sees their effects. Tomorrow, as we pick up our permanent marker and write down specific things God has done for us or given us, our hearts will be encouraged, and we’ll be reminded that we have a God whose grace transcends discouragement and hopelessness, a God who is good and loving and generous. I hope that mindset is one our kids keep with them always.
3. Thankfulness shared is thankfulness multiplied. Yes, being quietly grateful is good. But when we share our blessings with each other and thank God for them together, we both build each other up and increase our awe of Him. I hope that in some small way, we’re doing what Psalm 78:4 says: “…We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
When Thanksgiving is over, I gather the leaves, bundle them together, and tuck them away in my “memory box,” preserving a permanent record of the things that, each year, make our list of things we’re very thankful for.
One word of advice: If this is something you’d like to do with your family, you could trace and cutout many construction paper leaves, as I have in years past. OR, you could visit a craft store or OrientalTrading.com and just buy some foam leaves, as I did this year. Option #2 is definitely easier, not much more expensive, and creates far fewer hand cramps.
This post is part of a delightful Thanksgiving feast hosted by L.L. Barkat over at Seedlings In Stone. Please click over to enjoy all the dishes, and maybe even bring your own — the invitation is open! L.L. says, “Just post about a Thanksgiving memory, something you are thankful for this year, a special family Thanksgiving tradition, your favorite ‘thanksgiving’ bible verse, or anything else you can dream up. Be serious, spiritual, creative, beautiful, humorous, whatever… it’s a celebration and good celebrations welcome all kinds of expression!”
This is a nice thing to do, and it’s a great remembrance of that year as you tuck them away for a keepsake.
I posted my Thanksgiving thoughts today too!
We’ve done this, too, as a family. And then we did at at our little country church two weeks ago. What a lovely tradition. God bless you!
Katrina, As I was cleaning yesterday, a song started to go round in my brain-”Count Your Blessings”. Sometimes we are discouraged, thinking all is lost. Sometimes we are burdened with a load of care. Sometimes the cross seems heavy we are called to bear. But one blessing we can count on is: Angels will attend, help and comfort give to the journey’s end. This year, I’ve been counting blessings, and counting on angels. Your tradition sounds like it could be a good tradition in many households. The kids will remember it in years when they celebrate Thanksgiving. Love Mom
I loved this sentiment…
“…We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
And, about those leaves. The ones around here are still supple enough, though fallen, to accept writing. How cool would that be to write on the stuff of earth itself. Leaves fallen but redeemed, remembered by your pens. Kind of the way we are fallen but redeemed and remembered by His writing on our hearts?
I had been thinking to put fruit into a basket, with a silent assent about a sorrow and a joy that is brought to the table this year. Oh, but I like this too. Hmmm… leaves AND fruit? : )
Loved this whole post, btw. Thanks for adding it to the feast.
So simple–so tactile and visual–yet such a profound exercise.