About a year ago, I decided it was time to start having my girls say prayers at night. We go to church every week, but I honestly don’t know how many prayers are being said in between coloring and shoving goldfish down their throats. I figured night time would be best since it is the quietest and most low key part of our day.
Although we go to church, I can’t say I’m an overly religious person. That’s why when it came to saying prayers, I was looking for a little guidance from above. I knew we were going to start with the sign of the cross. After that, I honestly drew a blank! I knew we could go into an “Our Father” or “Hail Mary”, but I didn’t want my girls to just memorize and recite a prayer. I wanted it to mean something and come from their little hearts.
As I sat in bed with them, I guess God was answering my prayer when he gave me a little inspiration. For some reason I told them to start this way:
“Dear God,
Keep my family safe. Thank you for everything.”
Then I told each of them to think of one special thing to be grateful for each night.
This is where it gets interesting.
“God, thank-you for letting me FaceTime my (fill in the blank with the family member.)
“God, thank-you I had ice cream today.”
“God, thank-you I colored today.”
“God, thank-you we went to the movies and ate popcorn today.”
“God, thank-you I went to my friend’s house today.”
“God, thank-you I pooped today.”
“God, thank-you I played with chalk today.”
“God, thank-you I made cookies with my mom today.”
“God, thank-you I watched Peppa Pig today.”
“God, thank-you I played with my Barbies today.”
And the list goes on. These are just some of the ones that stick out because they are so sweet, innocent, and funny sometimes. I don’t know how many adults thank God that they poop everyday!
Although they give me a good laugh, I know they are really thinking about what to be thankful for, and for that I am thankful. In the end, the little things truly are the big things and that’s all that matters.