One of the most popular topics in today's magazines is the theme of simplifying life, or getting rid of clutter. But really, if we look at this "concern," isn't it the result of our having so very much? If we didn't have so much stuff, we wouldn't need to cut back, would we? Many people in our society are so caught up in the material, the "stuff," that its sheer accumulation is not only an expectation but a goal. At the same time, many of us have become so comfortable that it is all too easy to forget the source of all gifts - our Father God, the great giver. One of my goals has long been that of cultivating a grateful heart. However, in a world filled with stuff, I've been acutely aware of my tendency to take so much for granted.   About eight years ago, a colleague of mine told me about a practice that she had in her home called the blessing box. I liked her idea so much that I introduced it to my own household, which at that time consisted of my husband and our two teenagers. My hope was that this practice would help us to pay more attention to how very blessed we were in both large and small ways.

   Here's how the blessing box works. You can select any box, preferably at least six inches high, and decorate it on the outside (optional), then place it in a room where it is seen regularly by family members. I chose a velveteen covered box that had once held a gift, and we kept it in our kitchen in the bay window by the table. You fill the box with small slips of paper (or cut up blank index cards), and explain to your family that the goal is to regularly take the time to notice blessings, large and small, write them down and put them in the blessing box. For example, you might write, "Thank you Lord, for the beautiful sunshine today," or "Thank you, Lord, for the chance to spend Easter with Grandma and Grandpa." Each person in the family is asked to contribute to the box throughout the year. In our family, we decided we would fill the box during the calendar year and open it each New Year's morning. The truth is that although my daughter and I were pretty faithful in writing down our blessings during the year, there was always a sudden flurry of activity in late December when I reminded the men in the house that we were opening the blessing box in a few days (or weeks). I was careful to add that I was confident they would remember to include their share of the year's blessings. In record time, their keyboards were ablaze with words. We always opened the box on New Year's Day morning after breakfast as we sat around the table. Our practice was to pass the box from one person to another.   When you were given the box, you simply pulled out a blessing and read it aloud. We continued this until the box was empty. This tradition resulted in a time of considerable joy and laughter (and even a few tears) as we shared blessings large, small and sometimes funny. I cannot remember a time we did this that I was not filled anew with the realization that God has His hand on our little family, and that every single part of our lives that has meaning is the result of His providence and faithfulness.

   We make time in our lives for that which is important, but how about gratitude? The practice of the blessing box is something that helps gratitude become a regular habit. It presents the opportunity to pay attention to God's presence in the nuances of the day - an unexpected call from an old friend, the sweetness of the laughter of a child, or the quiet pleasure of sitting with loved ones around a holiday table once more - and to remember to count it all as grace. Many of the psalms remind us to give thanks:

   "I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name." (Psalm 63:5)  

   "May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you!" (Psalm 67:4)

   "Great are the works of the Lord, to be treasured for all their delights." (Psalm 111:2)

   If you, too, are finding that clutter is a concern of yours, maybe it's time to consider not only giving away what you don't need, but creating a blessing box, too. I confess that although we have neglected the practice of the blessing box since our kids moved into their own places, I've kept the small bags that held the slips of blessings we wrote and shared. Perhaps we can share blessings, but they never truly leave us. And I can't bring myself to throw them away! "All your works give you thanks, O Lord, and your faithful bless you." (Psalm 145:10)

   In a time where it's so tempting to become comfortable with what we have, and much more than we need, the blessing box gives us a chance to become more conscious of God's providence and how much we have to be thankful for. By the time you read this message, the midyear point will have come and gone. However, I suggest that the rest of the year holds many blessings for you, and you may just want to put a few of them in a blessing box.

   "Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God." (Psalm 103:1-2) 

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Katie Retzner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the Meier Clinics in Wheaton, Illinois.  Prior to joining Meier Clinics, Katie was a social worker for seven years in the public school system where she worked extensively with special needs  and typical child/family concerns.  She also taught public speaking and writing classes for eight years as an adjunct instructor at Benedictine University.  Katie has been married to Bill since 1982 and they have two adult children.  For more information about Katie, other therapists and services available at one of our Meier Clinics locations, please visit www.meierclinics.org or call us toll free at 888-7-CLINIC.