Be Thankful–Remember What God Has Done
“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1 (ESV)
Thanksgiving seems to be a good time to reflect on what God has done for us, positive memories, blessings, and just things in general for which we’re thankful (for us U.S. folks anyhow!). When my kids were younger, I used try to find some type of Thanksgiving craft-like activity each year to do this with them.
Sometimes we’d write down things we we’re thankful for on construction paper feathers and then glue the feathers to a paper turkey. Sometimes we’d do the same thing on paper leaves and post leaves around as decoration, and we’d even made paper link chains before where each link listed an item of thanks (this encouraged them to think of more than just a few items in order to have a chain long enough to hang!). Previously, I also posted several ways to try to stay thankful like this year round.
Remember 3 things God has done
When I teach at Glory House I do an activity with them somewhat similar to these Thanksgiving activities (even when it’s not Thanksgiving time). Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for the idea though! I think I first heard this tip from one of our pastors at church years ago. I was taught to write down 3 things that God has brought me through, brought me to or delivered me from. They could be what God has done through victories, ways God has come through for me or has been faithful to me, answered prayers, etc. I was then told to keep this list handy and reflect on it or refer back to it when I’m going through a rough time when things seem hopeless or bleak.
The ladies love when we do this activity. They also usually come up with more than three, but three things are typically pretty easy to come up with and recall. It’s just a good way to remember what God has done. It helps us to think positively and gives us the mindset “He did it before. He’ll do it again.” or “He helped me with that. He’ll help me with this too.”