by Kenneth Leger

My wife Judi and I are grandparents to nine grandchildren ranging in ages form 1 to 15 years old. During the holidays we want to help teach these little ones to celebrate like Christians. So Thanksgiving day we herd our progeny onto the living room floor and explain to them that the very word thanksgiving has two parts-thanks and giving. We tell them that Christians are givers because God is a giver, and we are to express His character to the world. Then we handed out the following letter, complete with $50 stuffed inside.

Happy Thanks-Giving
Dear grandchild,
Mema & PaPa would like you to take this money and decide how to best use it. Our wish is that you would find a way that shows generosity and feelings to someone or something. It can be one gift or divided into many little gifts. Our prayer is that God will direct you in this endeavor. We would like you to keep track of how it is used and to share that with all of us on Christmas. Please keep this letter and record what you do on the bottom of this page and return it to us.Please sign your letter.
Love,
Mema & PaPa

Judy & I are excited at the prospect of saving these letters in a binder to be able to go back and read with the children as they grow older-seems a bit more meaningful than collecting ties or mugs.