One of my favorite things to do this month is filling boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
I decided to do something a little different with my blog this week and make it all for the kids. This is a Lanny Sheep story to read with your child. I hope you enjoy it. This story is actually based on last week’s blog from Psalm 33.
One day Lanny was grazing in the pasture with his good shepherd and the other sheep from the good shepherd’s flock. He was right by the good shepherd. Ever since the day he wandered away and got lost, he had been staying close to the shepherd. Lanny looked up at the shepherd. “Good shepherd,“ Lanny said, “May I ask you a question?“
“Of course, Lanny.” the good shepherd said, “ Ask me whatever you wish.“
“Well,“ Lanny asked, “I was wondering who made me?“
“Lanny, your father sheep and mother sheep are part of my flock, but I made you Lanny and I knew about you before you were born.” (I praise you because you made me is such a wonderful way. Ps. 139:14 ERV)
“Wow!“ said Lanny, “That makes me want to sing. I’m going to make up my own song for you good shepherd.”
“I love your songs, Lanny.” said the good shepherd.
Lanny thought for a long time. He thought about how much his good shepherd loved him and the other sheep in the flock. The good shepherd’s love was so big. He remembered reading from the good shepherd’s book about how “His love filled the earth.” (Ps. 33:5) How could the good shepherd love that much? Lanny didn’t know, but he was thankful.
Then Lanny thought about all the wonderful things in the world. He remembered how the good shepherd’s book, said “God made the world.” (Ps. 33:6) Lanny loved the green pastures and the pools of cool refreshing water. He loved the warm sunshine and the fluffy white clouds in the sky. He loved the soft little bunnies that hopped about in the pasture. Sometimes Lanny even saw a deer or goat skipping up on the hills. The world was such a big place with so many animals, trees, plants and other things. Lanny was thankful for the big world that God created.
Lanny also remembered how the shepherd’s book told about how God watches over us and loves us. (Ps. 33:18). Lanny was very happy (Ps. 33:21) as he thought of all these things. He was happy to be part of the good shepherd’s flock. (Ps. 33:11) Softly Lanny began to sing, “Thank you God for making me and this beautiful world. You are amazing! You are amazing and I know, yes I know you have good plans for me. You have good plans for me. Thank you God, thank you for all you made. Thank you that I belong to you. Jesus, I really, really love you.”
Lanny was a little embarrassed by his song. It didn’t exactly rhyme, but he was very thankful and he hoped the good shepherd understood.
PARENT OR GRANDPARENT PRAYER:
God,
I want to take time to celebrate you this month during Thanksgiving season. You are so good and faithful. Your love has never failed me. Just taking the time to look around at the beautiful leaves, the changing seasons and yes, even the rain speaks of your glory. Your work is beyond our greatest imagination. You are great and yet you look down on us with care. You give me strength when I am weak and you hear my every cry. You know my joys and my frustrations and you bless me with your presence and with good things to sustain and nourish me. Lord, as I look around at the current state of the world, inflation, natural disasters, sickness and the bleak outlook that is often portrayed on the news, I could be discouraged and overwhelmed, but you Lord, give me hope. You plant me in your house, in your Word and your presence. There I can grow strong and because of you, I can continue to produce fruit. I want to celebrate and show your goodness this month. I want everyone to know that the Lord is good, even when hard things happen. I rely on you, My Rock and my Redeemer. Teach us to look to you daily and remind us to rejoice and celebrate who you are. You never leave us and you know exactly what we are going through. You are forever faithful. Thank you God! Amen
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
If you are grateful and you want to show that gratitude by giving to others, then Operation Christmas Child is a great way to do so. My family and I have enjoyed putting shoeboxes together for OCC for many years.It’s a great way to get your whole family involved in giving, even the littlest members.
* What is Operation Christmas Child? OCC is a division of the Christian humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse. OCC is simply putting together a small, shoebox size box with gifts for disadvantaged children around the world. The children who receive these gifts have never received a gift in their entire lives.
* What can you put in your OCC boxes? First, select whether you want to do a box for a boy or a girl and what age you wish to fill your box for. Some items that can be included are a stuffed animal, soccer ball with pump, clothing outfit, personal care items, crayons, pencils, coloring books, play dough, stickers . There are also some items such as candy, toothpaste and breakable items that should not be included. For more ideas check out the website.
Samaritan’s Purse website -https://www.samaritanspurse.org
Remember to include $10 with your box to cover shipping and other project costs.
* When you are finished packing your box, drop it off at a drop-off location – many churches are drop-off locations. The boxes must be dropped off the week of Nov. 14th-21st.
* Operation Christmas Child is such a great way to help your kids learn what it means to give instead of always wanting things. Go to the store together and involve your child in helping you to pick out items for you box. It’s fun!
Kid’s Bible Story
Psalm 92 Paraphrased for Preschoolers – Celebrate God
1 It is good to praise the Lord, God Most High and make music to Him. –
(Wave hands in the air and say, “Praise the Lord!“ or get the pots and pans out to make a joyful noise.)
2 Tell about God’s love in the morning, – (Look at your child and say, “God loves you and I do too!” Then sing and say “Thank you God, for your love.”)
3 It is good to play for you…. – (Play your pots and pans again.)
4 God, you make us very happy because you do amazing things! –
(Clap hands and say, “Yeah God!”)
5 God’s work is great, beyond our imagination. God will be honored forever. – (Forever is a long, long time. Make a wide sweep with your hands.)
15 I want to show everyone that you are good.. –
(Twirl around and say, “God, you are amazing!”)
God wants us to praise Him and thank Him. He made us to praise Him. What can we praise and thank God for? Let’s draw a picture of some of the things we can thank God for. God loves us a whole lot. He takes care of us and He gives us what we need. He is good to us. He gave us Jesus. He gave me you. I’m so happy for our family! We can praise Him just because He is God. When we praise God, it helps us remember how good God is and it makes us happy. God is amazing!
MEMORIZE: Psalms 150:6 (Hold hands like holding a book.)
Let everything – (Spread hands out to the side.)
That has breath – (Take a deep breath.)
Praise the Lord – (Wave arms above head.)
It’s fun to sing the verse with a toy xylophone starting at C and going up the scale. You can also go back down the scale too.
PRAYER:
Dear God,
Thank you for making me and loving me. Thank you for my family who takes good care of me. I praise you because you are good and strong. You do amazing things and I love you. Amen
KNOW: God made me to praise Him.
TALK ABOUT: Things we can praise God for.
ASK: Who made you? God made me. God made me to praise Him.
What can you do? I can celebrate God and all His works.
FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK
- Write a thank you note to someone – your child can draw a picture. Don’t forget to say, “Thank you!” to God too. You could even write a note to God.
- Every time you or your child are tempted to complain this week, try turning it into praise. EX: When your child says, “My toy is broken.” Say, “I’m sorry your toy is broken. I’m thankful you have other toys to play with while I fix it,”
Faith Steps and More 