In November, my grandkids and I walked across the street from our church to First Presbyterian. We went just after the Children's Story, with other youth and our FBC Youth leader. Sean's co-leader of our wonderful 4 church Youth Collective, Kate, was offering the sermon, shortly before she left our community to serve a congregation in Arizona.
Oh, Kate will be missed!! For several years my grandson and I have helped with snack for pit combined 'Vacation Bible School' and folks of all ages LOVE Kare!!
In her message, Kate shared a wonderful story from Brené Brown, on how the idea for using a Marble Jar came to her.
Kate's message, A Good Laugh, starts at 40 minutes on the video (and It was so fun to hear their bell choir! I play with ours, and it's a challenge! But rewarding!)
Kate dropped marbles in a canning jar, as she spoke, and after the service, we each chose a marble from baskets held by the Ushers. I knew i wanted to make a marble jar of my own, and used the one from Kate as the first marble.
For our Moms group gift exchange in December, I used tissue paper on small jars to make little holders for my 6 friends. I bought lovely marbles in several colors from Hopscotch, our Indi toy store, and included a small bag in each, plus a pair of the marbles I crafted.
While Brené used the marbles with her daughter for Building trust, I suggested my friends drop marbles in their jar as a Gratitude practice. I've used a small vase for mine.
Inspired to make a marble jar your own? Pour a cuppa, gather some supplies - small jar or vase, tissue paper, a small craft brush or sponge and glue, medium or mod podge, markers, alid put small cup with water, any other decorations, and some marbles.
Choose colors and the area you'd like to decorate. Use a bit of water to dilute the glue or medium etc, and spread some on small pieces of tissue paper, overlapping and building layers. Seal with one more layer of your adhesive and let dry.
Craft your own ritual for holding a marble, counting blessings, then dropping it in the jar. When I shared the practice with the father of older youth, he commented they used the image of pennies in a jar with shelter guests, saying "It's a lot easier to negotiate, and give a little ground, when you start with a full jar!"
Do you have a Gratitude practice?
I love your marbles, don't you ever lose them ;-)))
ReplyDeleteMy gratitude practice is simple: before falling asleep, I reflect on the day and ask myself: What went well, what didn't, and what am I grateful for?
Happy Weekend, Nadya!
Hee hee - right?
DeleteThat's a lovely gratitude practice!
ᎤᏬᏢᏗ ᏏᏓᏁᎸ ᎨᏎᏍᏗ (U-wo-tlu-di si-da-ne-lv ge-ses-di)
fun/let it be/ with the family
I love the idea of a a marble jar, I have a gratitude practice that is woven into my meditation practice.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a sweet idea?
DeleteLove that you weave gratitude into your meditation practice 🙏
Nadya
I love the marble jar idea! For my gratitude, every night I sit in my upstairs quite corner and reflect on the day, read from my daily devotional "Jesus Listens" and wrote a short note about what went good that day. I put them all in a basket and pull them out occasionally are read over them. I'm going to see about working on a marble jar!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a beautiful and fulfilling practice, Martha!
DeleteMy friend Gloria has been writing little nightly gratitude notes for over a decade - it's gotten her through some pretty hard times!