The Spark Sunday School Curriculum lesson plan for preschoolers focused on how the Old Testament story of God providing manna, quail, and water for the children of Israel throughout the forty years they wandered in the desert teaches a life application lesson about gratitude.

One of the class activities described in that lesson is to pass a basket containing a feather from child to child and have them in turn tickle themselves under the chin. In the closing prayer, the children are reminded of the tickle activity by asking them, "Thank God for a blessing He sends that makes you grin like a tickle under the chin."

A couple of months have passed since I read that lesson. "Thank God for a blessing He sends that makes you grin like a tickle under the chin" has caused me to pay attention to when I grin, and to see just how each smile-inducing experience, thing, or person is a blessing sent to me from God.

I have grown to value my every smile as a glint of joy added by God to the day. Each time I feel a face-cracking grin, I esteem the experience a valued jewel to be treasured.

Here are two New Testament passages that have taken on deeper meaning since I woke up to grinning:

James 1:17-18 – Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures. (MSG)

1 Timothy 6:17b – Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (NLT)

Are my prayers more appreciative lately? Yes. Do I grin more often? I think so.

Now I ask you: "Thank God for a blessing He sends that makes you grin like a tickle under the chin."

Prayer: Father, with hearts full of thanks for our personal liberty and Your resources for spiritual growth, we ask to be infected and be infectious with Your joy! In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Pat Bell <llebpat@gmail.com>
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
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