Give Thank to the Lord

by Brian Kim, Parent and Family Support Coordinator

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

It’s Thanksgiving week and we wanted to give you a simple meditation and prayer that you could do together as a family to help embody gratitude, grounded in a connection to God’s love.  Get comfortable to start, maybe get cozy with some blankets and try to go slowly, giving space to experience God’s presence as you lead your children in this creative time. Take some deep breaths together and then dive in!

As I read this verse a few times slowly, think of some things that you are thankful for. In your mind, tell God “thank you” for whatever you think of.  Keeping these in mind, remember that these are expressions of God’s kindness and love. Take a minute to receive this love, opening your hands like you are waiting for something good to come.  

Imagine God’s love, falling slowly into your hands.  As it touches your hands, what does it feel like?  What does it look like?  Now, the love is growing bigger and bigger like a balloon filling up with air.  You can’t hold it in your hands anymore, so you let it go, where do you think it needs to go now? How far do you think it might go?  Imagine it leaving the room, then the building and finally out into the open air, spreading farther and farther into the world.  

Who do you know that this love might reach?  Say a quick prayer for someone you know that could use more of God’s love.  Finally, remember again that God’s love goes on forever and ever, so we say “Thank you God.” Let that linger and imagine God’s joy at your connection with Him in this moment. You are the hands and feet of God, created to do good works and He takes great delight in you. Holding this thought, take a few deep breaths and hold that sense of delight in your body. We are God’s beloved, and He is our Good Father.

If all family members feel comfortable, do a group hug or some kind of physical connection to help close off the meditation and ground it in real human interaction.

Feel free to finish with this simple prayer of blessing that you can read over your children and also encourage them to pray over others.

God, we receive your never ending love and ask that you would help it grow more and more in our lives.  Help us live everyday knowing that we are your beloved children!