It is fall in the Midwest. This week, I stopped at a roadside shop of sorts, a pickup truck filled with pumpkins large and small. When I was driving home with the small ones chosen to decorate my porch, I couldn’t help but think how blessed I am with family, friends, and God’s provisions.

In the weeks approaching Thanksgiving, it is a great time for a thank-full heart family project. Set aside a time to explain the project to all family members. This project can be done with young and old, readers and non-readers.

1. Begin with a large paper heart. It might be cut from the side of a shopping bag, poster board, or other large paper.
2. Explain that the heart represents our own hearts. As we prepare for Thanksgiving, we are especially thankful for the many blessings that God has given us.
3. Ask each one to think of someone or something he is thankful for. Explain that each blessing is from God. Our hearts are filled with thanks for each blessing.
4. Show the children the paper heart. Explain that the goal is to fill the heart in the weeks that lead up to Thanksgiving.
5. The heart might be filled with a combination of words, pictures, and items that represent God’s blessings. Every family member will add to the heart.
6. Using colored markers, make the first additions to the heart by having each family member write his or her name. Thank God for each person.
7. Add a special family photo to the heart. This is not an expensive studio photo. Instead, choose a snapshot of a cherished family memory such as a family vacation or the celebration of the birth of a child.
8. Explain that other names, words, pictures, and items can be added to the heart. For example, a colorful fall leaf could represent God’s beautiful creation, or the paw print of the family pet could represent one of God’s much-loved creatures.
9. Display the heart so that family members can add to it with other blessings.
10. Watch the heart fill with symbols of gratitude as your family adds to it. Plan ahead to include a discussion and prayer for God’s many blessings and your family’s thank-full heart on Thanksgiving.

What things could your family add to a thank-full heart collage? I hope that you will share your ideas or pictures with us.