Category Archives: thank you

Thank You for the Frogs and Toads and Lizards and………

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Aren’t kids’ prayers the greatest?  They don’t miss anything, do they?  When they pray, they really pray!

“Thank you for my bike, my toy that goes beep beep, for my new book bag, my shoes, and my coat. Thank you for all the pretty things in the house like the lamps and the chairs and the tables and all the soap that smells so good in the bathroom.”

“Thank you for my mommy and daddy and my baby brother and big sister.  Thank you for all my friends who come play with me and make me laugh.  Thank you for the sand and the stones and the moon and the stars and the clouds that float in the sky”

“Thank you for all of the pretty trees and flowers and the kites that fly on windy days.  Thank you for the stores and streets and the buses and cars and the trains that go past grandma’s house every day.  Thank you for cookies and milk and for all the candy that daddy gives me when mommy isn’t looking.”

By now, we’re about ready for our child to draw this prayer to a close.  After all, we’re tired and would like to sit down and relax a bit before bed, too.  “Honey, let’s bring this prayer to a close.  “God is very, very happy with your prayer.  I’m sure He is smiling about all of the things you’ve been praying about.”

“No!  I have more things to tell God.  My prayer isn’t finished yet!”  And, so the prayer continues……….

“Thank you for bugs and ants and dragons and dinosaurs.  Thank you for cows and pigs and roosters and everything that grows on farms.  Thank you for gardens and tractors and rakes and leaves and the tall trees — and the little trees, too.”

By now, our patience is running a bit thin.  “Okay, I really mean it.  It’s time to say good night to God so that mommy can shut off the light and you can get some sleep.”

“I’m almost finished with my prayer.  I promise.  Just one more thing.  Thank you, God, for the wiggly frog that I held today.  I sure hope he doesn’t give me big warts like Lukie said he would.  And, God…….please help my mommy to know how to pray.  She forgets to say thank you about a lot of stuff, but I always, always remember because I love you very much!  Amen.”

As I look into the eyes of this child of mine, I feel so ashamed.  She’s right, you know.  I don’t spend nearly enough time saying thank you to God.  She has this prayer thing down right.  And, so I turn out the light, fall to my knees, and begin my prayer…….”Thank you, God, for all the little children who teach us all about you!”

Love,
Clara — a mom who is still trying to get this prayer thing right! 

Spend Time with Nature and Be Thankful

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Sometimes the pain and craziness of life catches up with us and we feel like there is no place to go to escape from the everyday pressures of life. That’s when we need to follow a prescription for “peace” that was given to me a long time ago by a family doctor. His Rx was very plain and clear to understand: “Spend time alone with nature every day. Find at least one thing to be thankful for each day.” That was it.

I wondered if the doctor had lost his mind. I was anxious, overburdened, and stressed. I was experiencing burnout from life. And, he didn’t give me any medication — rather he told me to spend time with nature and be thankful. That’s not what I wanted to hear. I wanted a way to fix my pain and brokenness. What I didn’t understand yet was that the doctor had indeed given me the right formula — the correct prescription for peace.

I began to do as the doctor said…….I began by taking a small walk every day. At that time, I lived in town, and was not near a forest, or lake, or gardens. So, I walked and appreciated the flowers in others front lawns, the occasional chipmunk that ran across the street, and I even grew to like seeing the little caterpillars that were on the sidewalk. Little did I know at that time that my heart was beginning to find peace. I became thankful for all of the signts and sounds I found while on my walk.

It is now many years after that family doctor handed me the prescription, and to this day, I always begin my day with saying “thank you” for something in my life, and I always walk with nature even if only for 5 or 10 minutes each day. The peace I feel when seeing the beauty in nature cannot be found in a pill. And, the stress that is relieved when I say “thank you” is unbelieveable. In fact, I’ll guarantee you that you won’t be able to stop saying “thank you” for just one thing in your life……..you’ll continue on and on and on and on.

Sometimes the most simple acts bring about the biggest changes in our lives. Are you searching for healing and peace? If so……spend some time with nature every day and say thank you. The formula works!!!!!