Sigh … lockdown is back! Hopefully just for a week, but even that can be a source of disappointment as events are cancelled and families face the reality of juggling working from home with supervising their kids.
It is okay to get annoyed, sad, or angry – we were made to have lots of emotions. But it is easy to get in the habit of grumbling, which can lead to lives that are unsatisfied and unhappy.
The bible calls us to give thanks to God at all times and for everything. Which means, that even during trials, there are still things to be thankful for – I do not like being confined to my home and having events cancelled, but I am so thankful that I have somewhere to call home – I detest needles, but I am so very thankful for modern medicine.
When we practice being thankful, that becomes our habit, instead of grumbling. The more we give thanks to God, the more we experience the joy of being friends with him. It does not magically make everything easy, but it brings us closer to God, it makes us more content with our lives and makes us better at relationships with other people.
Discuss:
- What is something you do with your family that makes you happy?
- How can you be thankful even when you’re upset?
- What is your favourite job around the house and why?
- What makes you happy when you are sad?
- What technology are you most thankful for and why?
- What happened today that you are most thankful for?
- What talent or skill are you most thankful for?
- In nature, what are you most thankful for?
Pray:
- Thank God for wanting to have a relationship with us and wanting us to come to him with all our emotions.
- Thank him for something specific that you are grateful for today.
- Ask for forgiveness for not thanking him enough for who he is and all he has done for us.
- Ask for help in the difficult times when it can be hard to be thankful.
Make a Gratitude Bouquet:
This craft was designed for Mother’s Day. Use the stencils, write ‘Lockdown’ on the vase, and come up with things that you can be thankful for during the next week to write on the flowers.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Join us for church online this week! Access our streamed services here.
Have a great week,
Kylie – Children & Families’ Minister
St John’s is committed to Child Safety and welcomes your feedback on how we can keep improving.
Image by Gino Crescoli from Pixabay
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