Thanks for Paper Plates

"I pray today!" Jameson announced as his family sat around the breakfast table. Dad nodded at the little boy, and they all bowed their heads. "Thank you, God, for bacon an' eggs an' milk an' toast an' orange juice," said Jameson. He paused and peeked through his fingers. "An' jam," he added. "Amen.""Thank you, Jameson," said Dad. He shot a look at Elliot and London, who were giggling at their little brother.After breakfast, everyone went outside to enjoy the beautiful day. When it was time for lunch, Mom called them together around the picnic table. "We'll pray first, and then you can all help get the hamburgers off the grill and get the rest of the food on the table.""I pray," announced Jameson again. Once more they all bowed their heads. "Thank you for…" Jameson paused a long moment as he looked at the table. There was no food on it yet. "For plates an' knives an' forks an' spoons an' cups an' napkins an' salt," Jameson said. "Amen."Elliot and London snickered out loud. But Dad smiled at his younger son. "I'm glad you thanked God for all those things today. We usually take them for granted and fail to give thanks for them.""Yes," Mom said as she got up. "While we're getting everything on the table, why don't you think of some other things we don't often remember to thank the Lord for. You go first, Elliot.""Uhh," Elliot murmured as he got busy with the hamburgers, "we should be thankful for…uh… for our grill.""Good," said Dad. "How about it, London?"London was ready. "For pepper--Jameson forgot that.""And for a picnic table," added Elliot quickly."And picnic benches," said London and Elliot together."An' food!" shouted Jameson as Mom set a platter of hamburgers and a bowl of fruit salad on the table."And for a little child to remind us of the many small blessings God has given us in addition to His greatest blessing of all--His Son, Jesus," said Mom with a smile. "Dig in."- Hazel W. Marett