Gratitude.
Do you ever take time to make a gratitude list? Carol Harrison reminds us that we all have so much to be thankful for, even during the difficult times.
Speaking at Children’s Bible Camps
For the last dozen summers, I have spent time away from home speaking at children’s Bible camps. One year, during camp, I took time every day to jot down ten important things that happened during the day or things that soothed the soul and brought a smile to my face. I included things I was grateful or thankful for.
As I reflect back on any of the weeks of hanging out with children aged eight to eleven and their teenage and young adult leaders, I realize they always exhausted and energized me at the same time. The days included watching the energetic kids doing a variety of activities, telling them stories from the Bible as well as everyday life examples, listening to their concerns and their laughter and sometimes having an opportunity to sit quietly before God.
Making a Gratitude List
During this week of making a gratitude list at camp, I spent the week in a beautiful setting surrounded by trees, waking up to the sound of birds singing outside my window and enjoying the change of scenery from the city. My husband likes to tell everyone that the weeks I speak at camp are my holiday since I don’t have to plan or prepare meals or clean up. I simply need to hang out with people and tell stories which I love to do anyway. He is not really wrong in his assessment.
Gratefulness for those who work hard to keep the camp facilities running efficiently and for those who clean made its way to the list often. I also loved the time and effort the cooks spent to make sure we had plenty of good food to eat and even some yummy treats. Of course free tuck time was an added bonus too that week as well.
Camper’s Lives
My heart ached when I learned how difficult some of the campers’ home lives were and yet gratitude filled me that they could experience a week of camp, enjoy learning new skills, and feel loved and accepted. Having a camper run up and throw her arms around me for a hug or lean their head on my shoulder as I sat beside them at skill time added to the special times during the week. But I was also grateful for the chats with staff about what they love to do or their aspirations going forward in the fall.
Speaking at camp is a special time for me each summer. One camper gave me a nickname during this particular camp—Storylady—and loved to come and chat with me. I was grateful that the gift of storytelling reached into the lives and hearts of campers and helped them realize they could come and talk to me.
A Place to Relax
The coolness of my room after a day in the heat of the outdoors allowed me to rest. A recliner in the common room of the lodge gave me a comfortable place to relax and listen to staff chat and laugh. Cooks provided each meal and all I needed to do is show up when the bell rang. The birds provided morning wake up music and the singing in chapel time added depth to my day.
Campfire on the last night of camp topped off the week as we sang around the fire to the accompaniment of a guitar as evening shadows fell. Then campers shared highlights from the week and things they had learned. In reality, the entire week was a highlight as it usually is when I get the opportunity to share hope with campers and staff.
Writing a Gratitude List
When I think back to this challenge of writing a gratitude list each day at camp, I can’t help but wonder why I never try to do this at home. Maybe doing a long list each day might take too much time or I might run out of different things to add to it. Yet being grateful should happen all the time. I don’t think it should be relegated to one day of the year—Thanksgiving Day—or to a week at camp. Even during difficult times in our lives, how can we dig deep and find something to be grateful for, to give thanks for?
1 Chronicles 16:8 & 9 says
“Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”
Psalm 100:4 & 5 says,
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
The Goodness of God
I must admit that during a week at camp it is easy to relax and enjoy the goodness of God; to tell stories of his wonderful gift of Jesus to the campers; to enjoy nature and an escape from cooking and cleaning. But it gets more difficult to take time to thank God, make a gratitude list, or remember what amazing things He has done during the busy activities of life and even more difficult when life as you know it or want it to be is crumbling around you.
Yet these verses remind us that God is good and his love never quits. What a wonderful thing to be grateful for. God’s gift of love when Jesus took our place can’t be lessened by our circumstances.
So when life is good and the birds greet us in song and we can make a long list of things we are grateful for let’s do it. Grab a pen and jot them down. Then when the tough times come we can look back to those lists and be reminded of good things. Then we can praise God for his indescribable love that never changes even when it seems to hide.
How do you express gratitude to God? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life or visit Carol’s website carolscorner.ca
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope.
She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
More Podcasts Below:
More Posts
Being A Person of Influence Begins at the Cross
Portraits of the Past – Treasuring Memories
Image Credits
Beach – Free-Photos
Thank You Note – geralt
Songbird – creisi
Leave a Reply