2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4 NIV)
Another Thanksgiving holiday is just days away. Many families will be traveling and gathering to celebrate this day set aside to give special thanks. Table settings and centerpieces, whether elaborate or simple, will adorn the table where favorite dishes will be passed around for all to enjoy. Laughter and good cheer will resound in one home after another. It is a lovely scenario and one that is almost worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting.
The Thanksgiving holiday should be celebrated and personally, it is probably my favorite holiday of the year. But truthfully speaking I am of the opinion that giving thanks does not have to be restricted to one day out of 365 other days on our calendar. There is a familiar quote that says: “There is always something to be thankful for.” I can’t think of many other words that hold so much truth.
We truly do have so much to be thankful for. Big things as well as little things. Opening your eyes to welcome a new day each morning is a gift and a blessing. Being able to get out of bed, walk unassisted, dress and feed yourself…things which all too often may be taken for granted…these are the greatest blessings. The gift of family, love, a job, a reliable vehicle, a home to return to at the end of the day….the list is endless.
I think all too often in the routine of our day to day seemingly mundane activities, we lose sight of just how thankful we could be. This is one reason I love children and how they think. They see things in a simplistic manner that brings pure delight to their everyday life. As I pondered this notion I had the idea a few weeks to put this very truth into action. With the help of some friends and family who are blessed to have young ones in their lives, a simple question was asked of each child.
“Tell me something you are thankful for and why?”
The children were all between the ages of three years and ten years of age. Their answers were precious as well as priceless! Children do not feel they have to filter what they say and that makes for a lot of interesting conversations at times. So now for your reading pleasure, here are the answers as to what they are thankful for and why. Enjoy!
Nathan, age 10: “I am thankful for my whole entire family but especially my mom. If it was not for her I would never have been born or be here. I am thankful for my school because I learn a lot and school helps me to get smarter. I am also thankful for my dog, Holly and my cat, Frankie. I am thankful to play baseball because I love to play baseball. And I am thankful for my video games and to play them with my friends. I am thankful for God and Jesus because Jesus died on the cross so I can go to heaven. That’s all!”
Ian, age 5: “I am thankful for Thanksgiving because I get to eat turkey and good food with my family. Then I am thankful that Christmas comes after that because I get to have fun with my family and when it is cold and I can go sledding. And I get presents!”
Ethan, age 4, is thankful for playing, love and sunshine.
Rachel, age 9: “I am thankful for getting to play basketball because it is great being part of a team.”
Lucy, age 5, is thankful for her family because everyone is nice.
Jadon, age 8: “I am thankful for my mommy and daddy, my little brother Judah, my Grammy, Pop Pop, Gramma, and Papa because they love me, they help me and are nice to me.
Judah, age 5: “I am thankful for my family because they love me and read the Bible to me.”
Lily, age 3, is thankful for tutus, fancy shoes, and Chuck E. Cheese.
Hannah, age 7: “I am thankful for my family, my home, and the friends that I have at school and church. And for freedom!”
Annabel, age 4: “I’m thankful for mommy, daddy, sissy, and me. And for being able to say ‘hi’ to people.”
Matilda, age 7, is thankful for getting together with her family and eating turkey because she loves her family and she likes eating turkey. She is also thankful for her dog Elsa. She loves Thanksgiving because it’s a time when we can praise God.
Natalie, age 10: “I am thankful for food because it tastes good.”
Madison, age 3, is ‘most thankful’ for her siblings because she likes to play with them. (Interview conducted by her big sister Jaelynn)
Jaelynn, age 8, is thankful for her house because God gave her a place to stay, her parents because God gave her somebody to guide her until she grows up, and her siblings because if she was alone, she would have nobody to play with.
Cailynn, age 3, is thankful for her mommy, daddy and little brother because she loves them.
Liam, age 9, is thankful for his little sister.
Ana, age 5, is thankful for friends.
Joanna, age 7: “I am thankful for my family, friends, God, for the food I eat and the people who love me.”
Isaiah, age 3, is thankful for sharks!
Helena, age 6, is thankful that she was a baby in her mommy’s tummy at one time. She is also thankful to be able to pray for her family, people who are sick, people who are in heaven, and the Hawaiian singer, Bruno Mars!
Elizabeth, age 5: “I am thankful for my family. We always help one another and work together as a team.”
Artwork by Elizabeth, age 5.
Everett, age 5: “I am thankful for God and my family and my cousins and my toys.”
Nathaniel, age 7: “I am thankful for food so we won’t die, thankful for family because I love you and for video games and toys so I can play with my family!”
John Luke, age 9: “I am thankful for my dogs and my mom and dad. I am thankful for these things because they are always close to me and make me happy.”
Matthias, age 9: “I’m thankful because I have my family and good food and because you are not sick Grama.” (Joseph’s conversation with his grandmother who is a breast cancer survivor)
Gigi, age 7: ” I am thankful for my family because they helped me learn to ride a bike (without training wheels). They also help me with hard third-grade math and science and reading. And they helped me with writing eight pages in my writer’s response journal for school.”
Palen, age 9: “I am thankful for God because he created us and put happiness and joy on this earth.”
Karsyn age 7: I am thankful for Jesus because he died of us.”
Luke, age 4, says he is thankful for his four-wheeler because he just likes riding it!
Cora, age 7: “I am thankful for God because he saved us.”
Eden, age 8: “I am thankful for Miriam (my little cousin) because she loves me.”
Eden, age 8, with her little cousin, Miriam. Photo used with permission of Ann Bernard.
Neveah, age 7: “I am thankful for family and my house.”
Abigail, age 6: “I’m thankful for US!” (her family)
Photo and sign: Courtesy of Willmar Artisan Interiors
There are too many things to count, but I’ll give a few. First, I’m so very thankful for Jesus Christ who paid the price for me to be a joint heir in the Kingdom! I’m thankful for my health that I am able to help care for (to say the least) my sick family members who are in a nursing home, and out of the nursing home. God has blessed me so I can bless them in their times of need, and I will forever be grateful for His mercy on us all. I’m grateful to have a beautiful, crazy, multi-blended family of 26. Last but certainly not least, I’m thankful for my amazing husband who is the earthly wind beneath my wings!
Beautiful Liz. Thank you for sharing. Blessings!
Rosie, I am thankful for you! You bless me in so many ways, this little box can’t contain them all! God bless you dear friend in your ministry of encouragement and every aspect of your life. A new adventure is coming your way and is already on your doorstep! Love you precious lady!
Thank you Debbie. I am so thankful for you as well my friend. God bless you always.
This is so precious 💖
Thank you Lisa. There is something so beautiful about the heart of a child!