Something to Practice With Your Children Each Day
Maria Menounos is a remarkable person. Maybe you’ve seen her on TV, on shows like E! News, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Dateline, Today, and Extra. And then, while taking care of her mother who had brain cancer, she was forced to slow down. Then, Maria herself was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Maybe you could say that God forced the issue with her. She had no choice but to slow down. I don’t know. I’ve given up on trying to figure out what God is doing in my life or anybody else’s for that matter.
One thing I do know is that Maria left a toxic, over-committed work schedule. In slowing down she began to experience gratefulness in her life. She began to experience a new way to live. Her story, which you can listen to here, partly inspired my decision to do something with our SHSP class this year. It’s something you can do at home with your children too.
This year each student will be keeping a gratitude journal. I’ll be joining them and keeping one myself.
On Tuesday of this week we read through Luke 17:11-19, the story of the ten lepers. I’m sure you know it. Ten were healed, but only one returns to say, “Thank you.” Practicing gratitude or thankfulness helps to counter the effects of growing up in the entitlement culture that’s in us and around us.
Another way we approached it was by reading through the Lord’s prayer. We talked about the meaning of the phrase, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Martin Luther put it this way:
What is meant by daily bread? Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.
In other words, daily bread is God’s provision for us.
In future classes, each time our class meets I’ll be having my students write 1 to 3 things they are thankful for in a journal. I found one I like on Amazon, which is simply titled, Gratitude Journal. Of course, a dedicated steno pad or notebook works fine too.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18
God’s blessings on you and your family as you start this school year!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
Do you have a student who could use some extra instruction in a subjects like Math, English, Writing, or the Barton Method for Dyslexic and Struggling Readers?Inquire today and see how we can help your student!
Curt, I think this is a great lesson. In the past our family would sit together before bed and share some things we were grateful for in that day. As our kids grew and started to have more responsibilities outside of the home, we’ve not continued this time of gratitude. I think it’s time to re-establish it. Thank you.
P.S. Tabetha was excited to tell me about the book and the discussion in class that first day! I am grateful for your family and all that you offer at Basic Skills!