“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
James 1:17
Hello sweet friends! I hope your week has been wonderful. As you read this, Butch and I will be flying home from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was a much needed vacation and I will be sharing all about it soon.
Today is a different kind of post, but one so dear to my heart. If you are a regular reader you know that I keep our two year old granddaughter three days a week while her mommy and daddy work. I count this time as a beautiful blessing as I have the opportunity to pour into her young life. She has wonderful parents who do a great job teaching and instructing her for which I am very thankful. Recently I discovered a little book that I either purchased or someone gave to me and we sat down together to read…
Little Grace frowned as she stared out the window. It was a grumpy morning. As soon as she walked into the kitchen, her grandmother noticed her sad face. Grammy gave her the kind of hug that only a grammy can give. Grammy said I know the perfect cure for the grumpies. It is a Blessings Jar.
Ella Mae was so excited as we were about to go on an adventure to fill her Blessings Jar. So out the door we went.
We only walked to the other side of the driveway to discover our first blessing. Pine cones! They were scattered everywhere. I helped my little angel pick one up to place in her Blessings Jar. Why are we thankful for pine cones? I began to explain that pine cones had little seeds that would grow into new pine trees. Without pine cones there would be no pine trees. Even a two year old could understand that pine trees created shade for us to play under, and wood to build houses. She doesn’t get the concept at this age but her face lit up when she learned these cones made trees that could be turned into paper to write and color on! As adults, we complain about the pollen, and it does bother my allergies, but I seldom pause and consider how this process is replenishing the earth with good things from the Creator.
We took a walk through the garden and found many beautiful blessings that God has given us to enjoy. We picked flowers and cut herbs to add to the Blessings Jar!
There was child-like wonder on her face as we walked all around the yard, and with little effort found blessing after blessing. I never have to look far to see God’s blessings, they are everywhere. The very air I breathe, colorful sunrises and sunsets, sunny days and even rainy days.
Thinking a glass jar wasn’t the best idea, we used a plastic jar we had and filled it with thyme, rosemary, lavender, zinnia, vinca, hibiscus bloom, and pine cones. Ella Mae was so excited!
We sat down on the steps to talk about the little jar filled with blessings and had our little discussion about each item. It was amazing how many different blessings came to mind just by taking the time to consider the simple things that surround us every day. Our jar was running over with blessings!
As the story ends it seems that a grandmother and granddaughter, by collecting a few things in a jar, have discovered the source of all blessings and that is God himself.
It’s only through child-like faith that we can find true blessings. Scripture teaches us this. But God also sometimes places little ones in our lives to drive the point home. Slow down grown people, take time to realize all the blessings that God has surrounded us with. Find a jar and fill it up today!
I highly recommend this sweet story – The Blessings Jar: A Story About Being Thankful by Colleen Coble
Be sure to come back tomorrow for floral inspiration! Our common theme is a fall favorite!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes,, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Katherines Corner,Petit Haus, Follow The Yellow Brick Home, Vintage Mama’s Cottage, Marilyn’s Treats Eclectic Red Barn, Share Your Cup, Love Of Home, My Soulful Home, Celebrating Everyday Life, Little Farmstead, Starfish Cottage, Rustic & Refined,The Freckled Rose, Life and Linda, DIY 180, Celebrate & Decorate, Sweet Sensations, The Dedicated House, Shabby Fufu, Designthusiasm, Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
A beautiful post about a beautiful concept; with a beautiful child in it.
(And that is the most unusual jam (jelly) that anyone ever made to spread on their toast! 😉 Hope Grandpa still has all his teeth afterwards! Mmm, yum, pinecones.
Aw, thanks Cath?
Awe, I love this! I had a friend tell me one time, that I needed a Joy box, I ask what is that, and she said its things that bring you joy, you put them in your box and if you are feeling sad you open your joy box. So when the grandkids make me something, or color me a paper I put it in my joy box, cards, etc. The little things in life bring so many blessings to us. I always love your post, and that little Ella Mae is precious.
Thank you Lynn. I love your joy box, what a great idea!❤️
Beautiful! I love this.
Thank you Joanna❤️
This absolutely melted this Nana’s heart! How precious. That little Ella Mae is adorable and so blessed to have you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you sweet friend❤️
Oh my goodness, so adorable. She is precious, and I’m sure your days with her, though tiring, are also exhilarating.
Thank you Rita❤️
What a lovely post! You are a great example to us. You have joyfully poured into Ella Mae’s life and you are a busy lady!
The book is certainly inspiring that we count our blessings and you are so right. They are everywhere.
Ella Mae is a beautiful child. I adore the pictures of her sweet little hand on the book pages. What a treasure.Thanks for sharing this sweet time with her with us.
Thank you dear friend, I have missed being with her this week!❤️
Oh Pam this is incredibly sweet! What a wonderful bond you have with sweet Ella Mae! She is truly adorable, and she is always dressed in something so cute!! Grandchildren are indeed blessings, but you need a jar of energy to keep up with them! Safe travels
Jenna
Yes, a truck load of energy is needed most days❤️
What a blessed post!Made me smile…How precious and treasured…Thanks for sharing,my friend.God bless.
Thank you Maristella. Blessings~
Pam, this is so precious! What a wonderful book and idea for a blessing jar! I know Ella Mae will always remember doing this with you. I remember my grandmother baking cookies with me and picking flowers to make flower arrangements. These are memories I hold dear to my heart. Ella Mae is so adorable and blessed to have you as a grandmother.
Thanks Shannon for sharing your sweet memories with your grandmother❤️
Oh, Pam, this was an absolute delight to read. It truly speaks to me and my thought of trying to inspire others to pay attention to the glory that is all around us – glory that God has so generously provided in every corner of our world. How wonderful that you have the opportunity to help instill in your precious Ella Mae, such important knowledge.
Grandmothers are truly a blessing to grandchildren. I owe my love and interest of many things to my grandmother and I will never forget her. And, the same will be true for you and Ella Mae.
Thank you for a lovely, lovely post. Blessings and safe travels home, dear friend !
Sandra, you do an amazing job pointing and inspiring others to pay attention to the glory that is all around us. God has created beauty for us to enjoy, we simply have to take time and pay attention! Thank you sweet friend!
Pam.. that is the most darling post. Ella Mae is a living doll. She’s so lucky to have a wonderful grandmother like you!
Aw, thanks so much Katie!
Pam, what a blessing you are. Ella Mae will never forget these beautiful days and what a positive influence you are having on her life. You are both blessed. She is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you sweet friend❤️ I am missing your posts
Pam, Ella Mae certainly needs a little picture of you and Butch(two of her most precious blessings) in her little jar. You would not even have to explain this to her as she already knows this special blessing. Betty
Betty, what sweet sentiments❤️
Pam what a beautiful post. I love the idea of A Jar of Blessings. Ella Mae is a beautiful blessing.
Marion
Thank you dear Marion❤️
What a wonderful book. The world needs more of this kind of book. Pam your precious granddaughter Ella Mae is a truly blessing. So cute.
Marilyn
Thank you sweet Marilyn❤️
I’m not quite sure if you are teaching Miss Eela Mae or us. I’ll take both of us. God is in everything, especially the details, and blessing are everywhere. Sweet, sweet post.
Thank you Alice. We need only to pay attention❤️
Oh, that precious little girl! And her grandma is equally as precious! Such a beautiful day you had together! Thank you so much for sharing about it here ~ you warmed our hearts, sweet friend!
Thank you sweet friend for your gift of encouragement!
I love this beautiful post Pam & it gave me such lovely ideas to adapt this for the various ages of my grandchildren!
I think it is such a blessing when we can spend precious time with our grand babies 😀
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. Grands are truly a blessing!
Absolutely! 😀
Pam, we made blessing jars years ago, but this was the sweetest post. I loved seeing it through a childs eyes! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
It is always my pleasure, thank you Jann!
Ella Mae is adorable. Wonderful idea to have a blessing jar. We all need one.
Thanks Snap, have a wonderful week!