Thanksgiving Tree

Bible Reading: Psalm 95:1-7; 100

Golden, orange, and scarlet leaves blanketed the ground as Mya, Micha, Maylee, and Matthew tramped through the woods together. “Anyone find a decent branch yet?” Mom called from behind them.

“How about this one?” Matthew held a branch with no leaves high above his head.

“It’s taller than me!” Maylee giggled.

Mom smiled. “That’s the one!”

“Back to the house!” Micha called and charged ahead of his siblings.

“Tell me what we’re going to do with this branch again, Mom?” Mya asked quietly as she slipped her hand into her mom’s.

“We’re carrying on the tradition we started last year—the Thanksgiving tree! Each day in November, you kids can write down one person or thing you’re thankful for on a leaf made from construction paper. By the time Thanksgiving arrives, our tree will be brimming with colorful blessings!” Mom and Mya laughed as they skipped down the path, scattering leaves.

Back at the kitchen table, the kids flipped over their paper leaves that said “November 1st” on the back. Matthew wrote “trees” on his leaf. Mya wrote “Mom.” Micha wrote “cookies,” and Mom helped little Maylee write “cats.” The four kids excitedly hung their leaves on the branch that stood upright in a colorful vase in the center of the table.

“Won’t it be fun to read all of these on Thanksgiving day?” Mom smiled. “It’s a good way to help us remember to be thankful…not only in November, but every single day.”

“It’s kind of like your thankfulness journal, right, Mom?” Mya asked.

Mom nodded. “After months of writing down what I was thankful for, it sure helped my thoughts transform from complaining to thanksgiving.” Mom paused to reflect on this. “That just gave me an idea…now I have something to write as well!”

Mom penned a verse on a notecard and attached it to the vase. Micha read it out loud. “’Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.’ Psalm 136:1.”

Matthew poked Micha and grinned. “God’s love! Now that’s the BEST thing to be thankful for—even more than cookies!” • Savannah Coleman

How About You?

Do you make it a habit to practice thanksgiving? God has given us so much to be thankful for! When we pause during our day to thank Him for who He is, the beautiful world around us, our family and friends, and for the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, He is glorified. Even if you don’t have a thanksgiving tree on your table, you can practice thanksgiving all year long and in all circumstances.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Give thanks at all times