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An Attitude of Gratitude
By
C.S. Bezas
Gratitude can be a hard thing to come by for some people—yet what a beautiful quality to obtain. Here is a subtle FHE lesson to guide your children toward this important attribute. Time for some FHE Fun!
FHE Fun!
Opening Song: #9 Can a Little Child Like Me?
Opening Prayer: By invitation.
Devotional: Make sure everyone in the family has at least one opportunity a month to share a favorite scripture during Family Home Evening. By taking turns, it not only will build the individual, but it will help bring a sweet spirit into the home for each FHE!
Activity:
Read the following story out loud:
“Three hundred twenty-six school children of a district near Indianapolis were asked to write anonymously just what each thought of his father.
“The teacher hoped that the reading of the essays might attract the fathers to attend at least one meeting of the Parent-Teachers Association.
“It did.
“They came in [inexpensive] cars and [luxurious] cars. Bank president, laborer, professional man, clerk, salesman, meter reader, farmer, utility magnate, merchant, baker, tailor, manufacturer, and contractor, every man with a definite estimate of himself in terms of money, skill, and righteousness or looks …
“The president picked at random from [a] stack of papers. “I like my daddy,” she read from each. The reasons were many: he built my doll house, took me coasting, taught me to shoot, helps with my schoolwork, takes me to the park, gave me a pig to fatten and sell. Scores of essays could be reduced to: “I like my daddy. He plays with me.”
“Not one child mentioned his family house, car, neighborhood, food, or clothing.
“The fathers went into the meeting from many walks of life; they came out in two classes: companions to their children or strangers to their children.
“No man is too rich or too poor to play with his children. (Lesson 14: “ Having Fun Together as Families,” Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders , Part B, 123 ).
Application:
Ask the family why the children in the story didn't mention their house, car, neighborhood, clothing, etc. Why is it that certain things really mattered to the kids and other things not as much? Then ask: “What kind of things can our family notice during the coming week that really matter?”
To finish, show the following photo of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (found at this link). Ask family members they think the people cared most about during the storm. How does going through hard times help us see what really matters?
Set a goal as a family to decide on the three most important things a family can focus on. Then determine to build toward those things during the coming week. Offer to follow-up on individual experiences during the next FHE.
Closing Song: #20 Song of Thanks
Closing Prayer: By invitation.
Refreshments: A pomegranate would be a creative treat for this particular FHE lesson. Here is a video to show you how to get to its delicious portions. Pomegranates are richly colored, very nutritious, and yummy. But it requires patience to enjoy them. Sometimes life is like that; it takes a while to get to the best part. Gratitude helps sustain us while we're waiting (just like when waiting to eat the pomegranate fruit). Here is a link to a pomegranate and apple crisp dessert that some have just loved!
Struggling with your teens? C.S. Bezas' book is an essential help for parents and youth leaders. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers teaches you how to create powerful change. Visit your local LDS bookstore or get your copy online here.
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