How long is your thankful list?
Hello Friends!
In the last several weeks I have been reading through Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. What has stuck with me is the number of times the Israelites are told to remember. Remember what God has done for them. Remember His faithfulness. Remember His mighty acts. Remember His forgiveness.
Why is remembering so important? Because it is in remembering we are reminded of who God was, is and who He will always be: Faithful.
“Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” — Deuteronomy 4:9
So what is the most appropriate response to remembrance? Thankfulness.
The Art of Remembering: Brainstorming Thankfulness
A week ago we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving with our neighbours. As the 13 of us shared a meal together around the table in our home, we felt VERY thankful for that moment and for these growing relationships. Thank you for praying.
Then to practice the art of remembering with our children this week, we took 10 minutes to brainstorm together all of the things we are thankful for. What we realized is that the list could go on forever! Yes, God is that good. Here is what we came up with:
We, the Kennedy Family, are thankful for…
- Jesus our friend
- God our Father
- The Holy Spirit alive in us
- Family
- Friends
- Dachshunds (no we don’t have one, they are just so cute!)
- Christmas
- Easter
- Breath in our lungs
- Jesus dying on the cross for us
- Doctors
- Light
- A strong marriage
- France
- Being Canadian
- Croissants
- The people who gave their lives for our freedom
- Hearing
- Bilingualism
- Neighbours
- Books
- Nature
- God’s creativity & diversity
- Lakes
- Butterflies
- Jesus our Savior
- Mountains
- God’s faithfulness
- The family who bought our house in Québec
- Clothes
- Tabasco
- Support
- Good food
- The Holy Spirit’s guidance
- Truffles
- Garden tomatoes
- Our car
- To live in a developed community
- Brennan’s lions
- To be at peace
- God’s sovereignty
- Garden centres where we can look at the flowers and plants
- Health
- Our home
- Jesus our Rabbi
- Paved streets
- An insanely cool bed made by my dad
- Our own bedrooms
- The Savoie
- Cheese
- Fondue
- Raclette
- Croziflette
- That we can set up our tent in the attic
- Bicycles
- Indoor hearing
- Indoor plumbing
- God our Provider
- Electricity
- My mom
- Playing games together
- Swimming in the lake
- Good wine
- My daddy
- God our Source
- The friendship between Noëlle & Brennan
- FaceTime
- Education, a good school
- Clean drinking water
- Our own little backyard
- Plants that are alive all year round
- Fresh clean air
- Music
- Our church family at Le Rivage
- God’s faithful presence
- God’s word
- The Church
- Bees
- Culture
- Dishwashers
- Jesus our example
- Our sending church Mission Hill
- Washing Machines
- Dimples
- Smiles
- Creativity
- Laughter
- Hugs
- Snuggles
- Who sleeps with who night
- Yoyos
- Ballet
- Jewelry
- Jesus our light
- Dresses
- Houseplants
- Orchids
- Organismo
- Pretty cookbooks
- Fireplace
- God’s peace
- Sight
- Candy
- Salted dark chocolate
- Salted butter caramel
- Truth
- Hope
- Joy
- Love
- Gelato
- Macarons
- Bread
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Safety
- Literacy
- Science
- The Holy Spirit’s gentleness
- Good teachers
- Yawning
- Sneezing
- Bunny & Sleepy Kitty
- Modern technology
- Our digestive systems
- Comfy couches
- Warm blankets
- Touch
- Jesus the Way
- Rubik’s cubes
- Lego
- Art supply stores
- Crafting
- Rock climbing
- Secret pathways
- Hiking trails
- Fluffy clouds
- Sunny days
- Blue skies
- Starry nights
- Thunder and lightening storms (God’s light show)
- Snowballs (the Scottish treat)
- Forgiveness
- Birthdays
- Fireworks
- God who fights for us
- GEM
- Christian friends
- Beautiful sunsets
- Our souvenirs from our travels
- Good memories
- The complexity of our bodies
- Photos
- Our decor, our home
- Jesus our redeemer
- Baths
- Candles
- Hot showers
- Knowing God
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Good movies
- Star Wars
- Windows
- Speculoos
- Jesus the Truth
- Soft pillows
- Kleenex
- Sleeping in
- Bacon
- Bacon (it’s that good)
- Waffles
- God our King
- Maple syrup
- First cup of morning coffee/tea
- The changing of the seasons
- The smell of leaves in autumn
- Freedom to express our faith
- A cold glass of milk
- Gardens
- Funny faces
- Colour
- Engineering marvels like the Eiffel Tower
- Architects
- Artists
- Poets
- Good authors
- Comfy slippers
- Forests
- Logic and reasoning
- Whip cream
- Wood construction
- Democracy
- The privilege of being able to partner with God
- The hope found in eternity
- The promise of Heaven
- A big juicy steak
- The sounds of birds
- Drives through the country
- Cities
- Farmers
- Jesus our Shepherd
- Hot springs
- Glacier lakes
- Our stories
- Sabbaths
- Community
- Having a purpose
- Jesus our reason for being
What’s on your list?
We challenge you to write your own. Then send it to us so that we can celebrate together.
Much love,
Becky & the Kennedy Family
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