Project Gratitude: Day 17

Henrik played right along with his sisters today.

Last night when I put Henrik to bed we hadn't yet been able to have family prayer, so I said a prayer with just him after we read stories. I didn't necessarily prompt him to echo what I was saying, but as soon as I began, he repeated the words after I said them. It was so innocent and pure.

Today the girls basked in their free day, and played and played (mostly) happily together all day long. So I guess it shouldn't have surprised me that when Eric called upon Mierae to say our family prayer tonight, she was in a good mood and willing to oblige him. She asked Heavenly Father to bless her as she gives her talk in Primary tomorrow. She asked a blessing upon me as I give my talk in Sacrament meeting tomorrow. And she asked a blessing upon Eric as he teaches his Sunday School lesson as well. She expressed thanks for a good day, for good food to eat and the chance to play. I was so touched by her prayer. It was so sincere.

I didn't find out until yesterday the actual topic of my talk for Church tomorrow. I had originally been given a topic that didn't quite make sense to me, and it seriously didn't occur to me that my talk might be on gratitude...until the day before yesterday. As I've been busily writing and preparing, a quote from Joseph F. Smith made me think about prayers in our home.

He said, "...how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!"

His quote made me think about Jolie's prayers. When she prays she says, “thank thee” for everything, including when she is asking for blessings. Instead of saying “please bless us to have a good day,” she says, “thank thee that we can have a good day” or “thank thee that we can be safe.”  It is so sweet to hear her expressions of gratitude for blessings still hoped for.

I am thankful for the supreme gift of hearing my children pray, especially knowing that their prayers are heard, and answered.