Thankfulness jars...

Lent is traditionally the season of giving things up – chocolate, biscuits, cake, alcohol, or social media; of depriving ourselves of something so that our attention is fixed more on God. This Lent we are inviting different choices; a choice to look up, to be thankful, to be grateful. Whatever our circumstances, whatever we are currently facing we are going to choose to look up. In a world where it is easier to tear down than build, to criticise rather than affirm and encourage, we are called to be salt and light, to be different, to love God, grow family and increase hope. So how can we do that in ways that are both practical and visible? What discipline can we take up that will help us love God more, grow our relationships with one another and increase our hope that fuels our prayers and gladdens our hearts?

A thankfulness jar.

Simple!

At the beginning, during or at the end of the day pause, reflect, and write down something or someone that you are thankful for that day and pop it in your glass jar, pot or tupperware! Do this as individuals, as households, include children, grandparents, visitors to your home, to build a well of thankfulness. Imagine every individual and household in the church family doing this, every house group, every church activity, from Tinkers to Thursday Fellowship to staff team, to PCC and then those thankfulness jars being brought into church on Psalm Sunday – imagine what that will look like, imagine what worship that will inspire and evoke, imagine how faith grows, how love for God grows, how the family is grown and hope increases because we see the goodness of God before our very eyes.

We are seeing a scaleable and weekly change in the atmosphere in our community. Being thankful for the goodness of God is a vital part of this. Whatever. Today. Choose to be thankful, because it's the way of the kingdom...