It has been enlightening for us to learn new things about each other and find out more of the many ways we are similar. One of our similarities is that we appreciate having visual representations of inward transformations God is creating in us. That is how we came to create our "Gratitude trees."
I have a sweet 7-year-old little cousin whose name is Casey. She has been watching me very closely over the past few weeks as I've been plastering Gratitude all over my home/car/workplace/day planner/desk in the form of post-it notes with our Gratitude quotes, song lyrics, Scriptures, etc. on them. She has been so curious about what Melissa and I are doing, so I've been sharing it with her and trying to get her involved a little bit. I see her frequently, so there are plenty of opportunities.
Casey mentioned to me that she thinks of all kinds of things she wants to thank Jesus for during the day, but sometimes forgets some of them by bedtime (we're trying to work on the concept of continual prayer with her. Ha!). Casey's very much a visual person also, so she and I did a little craft project together. We covered a shoe box with paper and she decorated it. I gave her a bunch of note paper to keep next to her "gratitude box" at home and in her desk at school in case she thought of anything while she is at school. The idea was that during the course of her days and nights when she thinks of something she wants to thank Jesus for, she can write it down and put it in the box. Then when she's praying at night, she can remember everything she wants to pray and thank Him for.
Tonight we took Casey on a dinner and ice skating "date." We were sitting at dinner and she is very enthusiastically telling us about how much she loves her "Gratitude box" because she can now remember to thank Jesus for everything! She then said something that struck a major chord with me and brought tears to my eyes. She said that she knows she can't really HEAR Jesus talk to her, but she somehow feels like He wants her to know that He is happy that she is learning to be thankful for the little things. She reminded me that I am always telling her that Jesus cares about all of the little details in our lives, not just the big things. She told us that she thinks if Jesus loves us enough to care about the little things, we should love Him enough to thank Him for the little things.
Isn't that incredible? Such profound wisdom coming from the sweet, simple mind of a 7-year-old little girl. She teaches me so much and continually humbles with the precious way she loves Jesus and works hard to learn what it is to serve Him with her life. I'm very thankful for her and for my friend Melissa and our focus on Gratitude. It's truly transformational.
Wow.... that is precious! I wish I could see you more often Maryann! I was just thinking how much I miss talking to people about my faith! I can't wait to see you during break!
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