Rainbows and Owls and My Family
“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”
I was searching for just the right blessing to share today. One that was simple enough for a child, but profound. Something you might say together over your table today surrounded by those you love. I searched all of our many children's prayer books but came up uninspired. Many would be suitable. Prayer does not need to be too complicated and it also does not need to be too profound. What if we just said "Thank You?"
What are you thankful for this year, Caroline?
“Rainbows and owls and my family.”
Rainbows- that amazing symbol in nature that reminds us God will never destroy the earth, a promise he will always bring sunshine to the rainy day.
Owls - the wisest of birds, fierce yet still, who remind us that we can still find peace when we are awake in the middle of the night.
And Family. Because always family.
Our table is set for a little Nevergall Family Thanksgiving of four. We will gather around this table, we will say a blessing and give thanks, we will eat ALL OF THE FOOD, and we will share what we are thankful for, right from the mouths of babes. I rolled paper from Caroline's art set down the middle of the table. We will fill it with words and drawings of all the things we are thankful for. Still looking for a table decor? Find an unused roll of wrapping paper, flip it over, and add a few markers and crayons to the table. Let your guests do the decorating.
When you can't think of the perfect blessing, don't. Just say Thank You. And this year, let your children lead the prayer. Ask the what they are thankful for. You can give them prompts such as going through all the body parts - Eyes, so I can see the sky. Ears so I can listen to music. Feet so I can run and climb. The sweet thoughts they share may seem simple. But reminding them to give all their thanks to God, for the big and little, just may be all the blessing we need over our table.
This year I may just steal Caroline's ideas. But mostly family. Our little family around our table, our new family here in Austin, our family by birth gathering around the country, our friends who feel like family, and God's great big amazing world wide family.
Thank you, God, for this family.And for Rainbows and Owls, too.