Gratitude

Text: Psalm 16

CENTERING YOURSELF

Gracious God, help me to find stillness in my heart and mind as I come into your presence. Let me rest in your peace and find comfort in your love. Quiet my racing thoughts and guide me to a more profound sense of gratitude for all the blessings in my life. Amen.

OBJECT LESSON ON GRATITUDE

As a worship leader, I was tasked with finding a suitable story or object lesson to accompany Psalm 16, the chosen passage for the service’s “Themes & Stories for All Ages” segment. Despite my best efforts, I struggled to find a story or lesson that aligned with the Psalm’s message. I searched through my collection of storybooks and combed the internet, but I couldn’t find anything that fit the bill.

Feeling stuck and frustrated, I stumbled upon a post about gratitude exercises that used everyday household items. While the activities seemed geared towards adults, I was determined to create a gratitude exercise that would resonate with all ages and tie into the foundational message of Psalm 16:7, “I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me” (NLT) However, I encountered two issues with the exercise: I didn’t have any of the items mentioned in my house, and it didn’t feel appropriate for all ages. Despite these setbacks, I persevered and crafted a gratitude exercise that incorporated elements from Psalm 16:7 and was suitable for all ages.

Through this experience, I learned that no matter where we look in life, there is always something to be thankful for, and it’s essential to recognize and appreciate these blessings.

NOTE: This is an interactive exercise that makes it fun. Begin with the children who will be closer to you, then expand the conversation to the broader audience. Only continue once you get a response or you give a reply. Remember, there’s always something to be thankful for, and it’s important to recognize and appreciate the large and small blessings in our lives. You may add to this list or remove items based on your audience and time allotment.

GRATITUDE EXERCISE

Put some everyday items [for example, a used pencil, paperclip, or eraser] in a basket or bag.

Ask the children

• What are some things you are thankful for?
• Have you ever run out of things to be grateful for?

Ask the adults

• Do you have a gratitude practice?
• What are some things you’re thankful for?
• Have you ever run out of things to be grateful for, so you start repeating your list?

Pick an item from the basket/bag, show it to everyone, and ask:

• Do you know what this is?
• Have you ever given thanks for this item?
• Why are you thankful for this item?
• Can you think of any other reasons to give thanks for it?

SUGGESTED ITEMS TO CHOOSE FROM

Pencil/s

1. Pencils help us write and draw. Thank God for pencils, for letting us express ourselves and our ideas.
2. Pencils are important for learning. Thank God for pencils, which help us with our studies and homework.
3. Pencils are easy to take with us. Thank God for pencils, which we can carry wherever we go.
4. Pencils come in different colors and sizes. Thank God for the cool and exciting pencils with so many options.
5. We can fix our mistakes with pencils. Thank God for pencils, for letting us try again if we make a mistake.
6. Pencils are affordable, and everyone can use them. Thank God for pencils, which are not too expensive and anyone can use them.
7. Pencils are always there when we need them. Thank God for pencils, for being a reliable tool whenever we need to write or draw something.

A Piece of Tissue.

1. Tissue catches the germs from our nose to help us stay healthy! Thank God for tissue.
2. The tissue is soft and gentle on our skin, which is great! Thank God for the tissue being delicate and not rough.
3. Tissue is always here to help us whenever we need it. Thank God that we have a tissue.
4. We can use tissue and throw it away because it’s disposable. Thank God for how easy it is to use and dispose of tissue.
5. It takes a lot of hard work and skill to make tissue that helps us feel better. We should be grateful to the people who make it possible.
6. Making tissue requires natural resources and advanced technology. We should be thankful for having both.
7. We should always take care of our health and well-being. Tissue is a simple tool that can help us, and we should be thankful for it.

Eraser/s

1. Erasers help us fix our mistakes so we can learn and grow. Thank God for them.
2. Erasers are small and easy to hold, which is great for us. Thank God for their perfect size.
3. Erasers are just the right size and texture to fit in your hands. Thank God for how well they work.
4. Erasers have a perfect balance between being too hard and too soft, which makes them great to use. Thank God for this balance.
5. It takes a lot of ingenuity and creativity to make a tool like the eraser that makes our lives easier. We should thank God for the person who created it.
6. Erasers are accessible and affordable. Thank God for the technology that makes this possible.
7. There are many different eraser options available to us, which is great. Thank God for the range of choices we have.

Empty Soda Bottle/s

1. Someone drank the soda in this bottle. Thank God someone was able to enjoy a refreshing drink.
2. Soda bottles have bright colors and cool designs, which makes them fun to look at. Thank God caps twist off easily, which makes them easy to open. Thank God for making it easy to open.
3. It’s good that this bottle is not on the ground where someone could trip over it. Thank God for the people who keep our environment clean.
4. Drinking soda reminds us to stay hydrated and have a treat once in a while. Thank God for giving us different kinds of drinks to enjoy.
5. This plastic bottle can be recycled, and we should be thankful for learning to care for the environment. Thank God for teaching us to take care of our planet.
6. We can make fun music by tapping or blowing on the soda bottle, and we should be thankful for everyday objects that bring joy and creativity. Thank God for giving us ways to have fun and be creative.

Rubber Band/s

1. Rubber bands help us keep things together. Thank God for the rubber band, for being a great helper when we need to hold things in place.
2. Rubber bands are stretchy and bouncy, which makes them fun to play with. Thank God for the rubber band, for bringing us joy and fun.
3. Rubber bands come in different sizes and colors, which makes them exciting and lets us choose the right one for what we need. Thank God for the rubber band, for being cool and colorful.
4. Rubber bands are made from things we get from nature, like rubber and latex. Thank God for these natural resources that help us make things like rubber bands.
5. People work hard to get natural resources and make rubber bands. Thank God for these hardworking people.
6. Machines and technology help us make rubber bands, and now people all over the world can use them. Thank God for the machines that help make rubber bands.
7. Rubber bands are used for many things, like making art or playing games. They come in different sizes and colors, making them great for many fun things. Thank God for the cool and valuable rubber band.

Paperclip/s

1. The paperclip helps keep our papers in place. Thank God for the paperclip for helping us stay organized.
2. The paperclip is simple and easy to use. Thank God for the paperclip, for making our work easier.
3. The paperclip is made of strong material. Thank God for the paperclip, for being tough and long-lasting.
4. The paperclip is easy to use. Thank God for the paperclip for being easy to handle.
5. The paperclip comes in different sizes and colors. Thank you, paperclip, for being fun and colorful.
6. The paperclip can be used many times. Thank God for the paperclip for being good for the environment.
7. The paperclip is small and only takes up a little space. Thank God for the paperclip, for being compact.
8. The paperclip can be used for more than just organizing papers. Thank you, paperclip, for being useful in many ways.

Bottle Cap/s

1. Bottle caps help keep our drinks from spilling. Thank God for bottle caps, for keeping us clean and dry.
2. They’re easy to open and close. Thank God for bottle caps, for being simple and easy to use.
3. Bottle caps can be used for crafts and other fun projects. Thank God for bottle caps, for being a cool and versatile material.
4. They help reduce waste by letting us reseal bottles. Thank God for bottle caps and helping us be kind to the environment.
5. Bottle caps come in different colors and designs. Thank God for bottle caps and for making our drinks look fun and colorful.
6. They can be recycled to make new things. Thank you, bottle caps, for helping us care for our planet.
7. Bottle caps keep our drinks safe from dirt and germs. Thank God for bottle caps, for keeping us healthy.
8. They’re small and easy to carry around. Thank God for bottle caps, for being handy when we need them.

EXPRESSING GRATITUDE; BEING THANKFUL IN WORDS, THOUGHTS, AND ACTIONS

Grateful (adjective) – feeling or showing gratitude; thankful

Example: I am grateful for the help of my friends during a difficult time.

Gratitude (noun) – a feeling of thankfulness for something received or experienced

Example: I feel deeply grateful for my family’s love and support.

Thankful (adjective) – feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative

Example: I am thankful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams.

Tips For You

1. I am grateful for your help. (adjective)
2. I feel grateful for your support. (adjective)
3. I will be grateful if you can help me. (adjective)
4. I thanked her friend for the gift. (verb)
5. I am thankful for this opportunity. (adjective)
6. I am grateful to have such a supportive family. (adjective)
7. I thanked my boss for the promotion. (verb)

BLESSING

I go forth from this time of reflection

with a heart full of gratitude,

knowing that God walks beside me in all things.

I will trust the Lord with all my heart

and lean not on my understanding.

I open myself to be led by the Spirit

to bring joy and peace to those I encounter,

and I will live a life that is a testimony to the goodness of God.

With Psalm 16:7, my constant reminder, “I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also, my heart instructs me.” I will live in peace, knowing that God loves and blessed me. Amen.