A Blessings Journal

My kids colored these as we stayed up to ring in the new year.

Happy New Year!  I took a few weeks off from writing and feel refreshed and energized.  And what better time to start something new with the kids?!  For years my husband and I have been keeping a journal of blessings.  Each night before we go to sleep we write down 3 blessings from the day.  So why not start the kids on this journey too?

The kids got to be Mary and Joseph in our church's live nativity.

This idea began as a way to set our minds on the positive things each day held.  Instead of focusing on the negative, we forced ourselves to see the good.  Some days are definitely easier than others.  Those difficult days have you pausing extra long to find those 3 nuggets for the day.  It could be as simple as "the sun was shining today" or "I'm thankful for my fireplace that keeps us warm."  As you get used to the idea, you start to prepare your mind in advance to make note of things as they happen, and say "I'm going to remember that and write it down tonight!"

They truly love their goats!

As the kids are learning how to pray for more than just a good night of sleep or a good day tomorrow, I want them to learn to praise God for the good things.  In order for them to see those things, I wanted to have them start writing 3 blessings a day...their 3 favorite things about the day.  They have taken to the idea quite well so far.  Now it will be up to us as parents to help them follow through, as with anything that doesn't fall into the category of playing.  We make sure they brush their teeth and shower and say their prayers and read.  Now we carve out a little time to have them write in their journals.

As a parent there is nothing sweeter than to know your child's heart.  Having them write their blessings and hear them pray shows us what is inside their little heads.  It makes me proud when they pray for others and see the important things in life, like family.  It helps me to know that maybe we are doing something right in this crazy world.

So I challenge you to start a new tradition.  Start a blessings journal if you haven't already.  Go buy a notebook, journal or even a daily planner and get started!  Then at the end of the year you can look back at all the good things God has done.  I even write my goals for the year in the front and I have a page to keep track of the books I read and special events that make it easy to see what was special about that year.  Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God!

My Take-Aways:

1. Start a blessings journal.  Do it as a family.  Let's see just how much God is blessing us each day!
2. Sometimes you have to force yourself to see the positive.  Praise God for even the littlest things!
3. Kids are capable of more than we think.  Give them the opportunity to grow their faith by seeing God in the everyday.