Most nights, before I start to read to my (now almost 10 year old) daughter, I ask her, “What are you grateful for?” I hope that this almost daily practice of expressing gratitude sets a solid foundation for her faith life. We don’t do a lot of the typical practices of “saying your prayers” at bedtime. She can probably recite the Lord’s Prayer along with others, but I don’t know if she knows it by heart. The book we always read at bedtime for her first 4 or 5 years was The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton. Nothing particularly theological about it. The lullaby I sang was to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me” but I started singing it with the words “Mommy loves you, this you know, because Daddy tells you so” and “Daddy love you, this you know, because Mommy tells you so.” Eventually I added the words of the serenity prayer and then finally the words “Jesus loves you.”
It is this practice of gratitude that I hope will make a difference and stick with her. Her list tends to be pretty much the same night to night, beginning of course with the dog. But is also offers an opportunity to reflect on the day. Sometimes she surprises me with what she mentions. Recently, she has begun asking me what I am grateful for as well. This prayerful conversation is a way to remember God’s active presence in our lives. I invite you to try this practice during the Advent season and beyond.
What are you grateful for? Share your response in the comments below!