Gratitude is a powerful tool that helps us recognize God’s love in every moment, big or small. For children, especially those ages 8 to 12, learning to see life through a lens of thankfulness can transform their faith journey. One saint who perfectly embodies this spirit of gratitude is St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as “The Little Flower.” Her “Little Way” teaches us to find holiness and joy in the simple, everyday acts of love, humility, and trust in God.
St. Therese's Little Way and Children
St. Therese believed that we don’t need to do extraordinary things to show our love for God. Instead, we can do even the smallest acts with great love. This simple idea is something that children can grasp and put into practice in their daily lives. Whether it’s helping a sibling, saying a kind word, or even doing homework with a cheerful heart, these little moments can be offered to God as acts of love.
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For children, St. Therese’s message is a reminder that even at their young age, they can make a big difference by living out their faith in the small, everyday things. By practicing her “Little Way,” they learn to trust in God’s love and see His grace in everything.
How Gratitude Helps Grow Faith
When children learn to thank God for the small things—like a sunny day, a good friend, or a warm meal—they start to notice God’s presence more clearly in their lives. This habit of gratitude strengthens their relationship with God and encourages them to see even the tough moments as opportunities to grow in faith.
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To help your child embrace this idea, consider creating regular opportunities to practice gratitude. One fun and meaningful way to do this is through journaling.
Introducing the "Everything is Grace: A Gratitude Journal for Children"
Our “Everything is Grace: A Gratitude Journal for Children” is designed to encourage children to reflect daily on the blessings in their lives, following the spirit of St. Therese. Each week offers a Bible verse and a simple prompt to guide their reflections and prayers. From being thankful for friends to seeing God’s love in nature, this journal helps children recognize that everything in their life—big or small—is a gift from God.
As a special offer, we’re giving away one month (September) of the journal for free! You can download it today and start guiding your child in the beautiful practice of gratitude.
Sample
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| Click to download |
The full journal, with content for an entire year, is available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
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| Click to download |
This is the perfect tool for families and catechists looking for a simple, yet profound, way to help children grow in their faith through gratitude. With St. Therese as their guide, children can learn that living a life of love and thankfulness is within everyone’s reach, no matter how small the act.
Download your free September printable here and get the full year of journaling prompts on Teachers Pay Teachers to help your child live out St. Therese’s “Little Way” every day!
God Bless you!